Camden police searching for driver of stolen vehicle involved in deadly motorcyle crash
The victim was identified as 64-year-old Kenneth Smith, of Camden
CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police in Camden, New Jersey, are trying to find the driver who was involved in a fatal hit-and-run while allegedly in a stolen vehicle.
Camden police responded to the intersection of South 7th Street and Jefferson Street around 6:50 p.m. on August 7 for a report of a motorcycle crash.
When officers arrived, they found the motorcyclist unconscious on South 7th Street.
The cyclist, who has been identified as 64-year-old Kenneth "Blane" Smith, of Camden, was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he died.
A memorial for the beloved mechanic now continues to grow at the scene of the crash as loved ones continue to stop by and pay their respects.
"Kenneth Blane, or 'The Mechanic,' was an icon. Well known, well-liked and well respected for his trade. He would give you the shirt off his back," said Christoff Lindsey of Camden.
During the investigation, officials determined that Smith's motorcycle was struck by a Chevrolet Blazer.
That Blazer, which police say was stolen, fled the scene.
Shortly after the crash, the stolen vehicle was found unoccupied after it was involved in another crash with an unoccupied parked vehicle in the 2100 block of Master Street in Camden.
Friends are still trying to process this tragedy.
"This is a shame. It's a tragedy. His family is going through it. I'm going through it. To be left out in the street like a dog? No," said Tayari Horcey of Camden.
"I just talked to him the day before, then he's dead over something careless, somebody driving. It's so painful," said Thomas Greenlee of Camden.
Now, detectives are searching for the driver.
"He needs justice. The person that hit him needs to turn himself in. That'll be the right thing to do," said Horcey.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Samuel Funches III of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Crash Response Investigation Team at (856) 614-8083 and Sergeant Theodore Desantis of the Camden County Police Department at (609) 820-3530.
