Emergency crews were called to Frankford and Torresdale avenues just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police say the victim, 39-year-old Jason Harvey of Southampton, Bucks County, was riding his motorcycle when he was hit by the loose vehicle. Harvey was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The tow truck was later found unoccupied in the parking lot of an apartment building on the 1000 block of East Lycoming Avenue.
Chopper 6 captured a dark gray truck at the Philadelphia police tow lot being processed for evidence.
Police sources confirmed that the modified truck, marked with the signage "Hooked Up," is the vehicle involved in the deadly incident.
Harvey's sister told Action News he was a genuinely good soul and very affectionate.
This is not the first tragedy the family has faced. Harvey's 9-year-old daughter was killed in a house fire in North Philadelphia in 2017.
Investigators are still reviewing surveillance video from the area.
Anyone with information on the driver is asked to call police at 215686TIPS.