West Philadelphia hit-and-run victim dies weeks after being struck by vehicle while crossing road

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- After weeks of hospitalization, the victim of a hit-and-run crash last month in West Philadelphia died from his injuries.

Philadelphia police confirm 47-year-old Nicholas Masci died on Monday.

The crash happened at 52nd and Jefferson streets on December 27, 2023, just after 1230 a.m.

Family members say Masci had just left a store nearby. The victim's brother tells Action News he'd been talking to him just minutes before getting information to order him an Uber.

The driver who hit Masci remains at large.

"How could they live with themselves when they do such a thing," asked Sylvia Rossi, a longtime neighbor and family friend.

George Ricco grew up with Masci in South Philadelphia. They remained close friends up until his death.

"I was shocked. I was hurt, everybody was hurt. It wasn't his time. He had his whole life ahead of him," said Ricco.

The surveillance footage shows the driver stop and back up. They appear to get out of the car to check on the victim, but crash investigators say the person was not there when officers arrived.

On Friday, Philadelphia police expressed condolences for the Masci's family when Action News reached out concerning any updates in the case.

They also said they have made progress on identifying the driver but would not elaborate further, citing the ongoing investigation. When asked about potential charges the suspect could face, Action News was told that is still under investigation.

Ricco considered Masci a brother. He remembers him as a genuinely kind person with a good heart who was always out in the neighborhood.

"If you needed help with something he would come help you. If you needed anything, you go ask him. He would talk to you. He was a friendly person," said Ricco, who encouraged the driver to turn themself in.

"Just turn yourself in, do the right thing, give his mother some peace and his family," he said.