Man arrested in deadly hit-and-run of Temple student also facing child rape charges | What we know

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man is behind bars in connection with a hit-and-run that killed Temple University student Bryce Wolfe along Kelly Drive last month.

The Temple University student was pinned under an SUV and dragged for a mile.

Derek Reid, 48, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Thursday.

Reid has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, among other driving offenses, for the fatal hit-and-run, and will now also face charges in a child rape case.

Following Reid's arrest, Action News has learned more about his significant criminal history.

Officials say Reid was charged on April 28 with rape, sexual assault, and corruption of a minor for allegedly assaulting a juvenile male in 2021.

"When they started investigating, they realized he already had a felony warrant for his arrest," said Robert Clark, the Supervisory Deputy with the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia.

"We hope that this arrest brings closure for the victim and the family," Clark said.

Reid is being held on bail of $750,000 for each case. His next court appearance will be on August 17.

How Reid was captured

Officials say it was a team effort between Philadelphia police and U.S. Marshals to track down Reid, who they say was evading police.

They finally captured him he was mowing someone's lawn Thursday in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane section.

The U.S. Marshals Service said they got involved after the Philadelphia Crash Investigation Division reached out last week asking for assistance making an arrest in Wolfe's case.

According to Clark, the task force worked to track down locations Reid had been frequenting.

Officials said they've previously had a hard time identifying Reid because he was often seen wearing face coverings to mask his appearance.

"This was someone that was very transient. He knows the criminal justice system," Clark said. "He knows that he was being looked for. We conducted hours of surveillance over the last 72 hours."

However, around 5 a.m. Thursday, the task force covered about five locations Reid had been frequenting.

"Late in the morning, he pulled up to one of those locations and we were able to arrest him without incident," Clark said.

Reid was taken into custody along the 7200 block of Briar Road.

Clark said they determined Reid had been acting as a handyman in West Oak Lane and Wyncote.

Speaking about the arrest, Clark said, "I think he was glad that it was over. He was tired. He was visibly upset. He had concerns for his children... He had made the statement that he knew law enforcement was looking for him."

On Thursday night, Action News spoke with Lori and Clarence Wolfe, the parents of the victim of the fatal hit-and-run.

"To know your child was under that car in pain, and you protected him his whole life, did everything you could, and you couldn't be there to help him," Clarence said. "There is not a day that goes by that you don't feel the pain of the loss of your child, and you cry every day. It's the worst pain on the face of this earth."

The Wolfes thanked the Philadelphia Police Crash Investigation Division for the work they have done to make an arrest in this case.

"Though we are grateful the criminal was caught, it doesn't bring our son back... I want a conviction. I want him to pay. My son paid with his life," Lori said.

As authorities in Philadelphia make an arrest in Wolfe's case, they're still trying to find the hit-and-run driver that killed a woman in the city's Eastwick section earlier this week.