Family Pleads for Justice After 77-Year-Old Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia family is grieving after a beloved mother, grandmother, and community activist was killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday evening.

The victim's son, Ralph Cathell, said his mother, 77-year-old Dorothea Cathell, was a three-time cancer survivor, a proud mother of four, and grandmother of 20.

"She was a 77-year-old mother, grandmother, community activist. A woman of God, a child of God, she helped everybody," Ralph said. "It's hard for me and my family right now."

Cathell said his mother had just left for a quick trip to ShopRite.

"She had a cart and I said, 'Mom, be careful.' She said, 'Boy, I'll be back.'"

An hour later, Cathell found himself at the scene of the crash.

It was around 5:20 p.m. at 54th and Lancaster Avenue in Overbrook where his mother had been struck by a driver who never stopped.

"I watched my mother lie on the ground. Oh, it was a horrible scene," he said.

Dorothea was rushed to Lankenau Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators said the driver fled the scene, reversing down Lancaster Avenue before heading south. Police believe the driver even dropped off a female passenger at a pizza shop near 56th and Girard after the crash.

Authorities are now looking for a black Infiniti with front-end damage and a Delaware paper tag.

Neighbors said speeding and reckless driving have long made the intersection dangerous.

"I heard something that sounded like a car crash. It was like bang, so I ran outside," said Jim Burruss.

"That's crazy, that's sad, because the other day I almost got into an accident with my bike," added Steven Decelle.

Jordan Williams described the stretch of Lancaster Avenue as "almost like a drag strip."

Ralph Cathell said his family just wants justice.

"You wouldn't want nobody to do that to your mother or grandmother. Turn yourself in. You took my mom away."

He added, "I'm going to miss her. I'm going to really miss her. I just hope justice is done. I hope Philadelphia Police do their job professionally and find the individual who did this evil thing."