PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A family is trying to cope with the sudden loss of its patriarch, Jorge Hernandez, who was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend in South Philadelphia.
"I hope they understand the pain that we are feeling. I still cannot process that he is actually gone," said 19-year-old Amelie, daughter of 50-year-old Hernandez, who was hit by a car on Saturday as he was crossing Columbus Boulevard, near the shopping center that houses Home Depot and Walmart.
"When he wasn't either with us or cooking at work, he used to work on vintage bikes," recalled daughter Gizele, 26.
"He loved doing that," echoed Amelie, "absolutely loved his bikes."
An altar with candles, flowers, pictures and rosary beads now sits in the Hernandez home. They say he was the main breadwinner of the family, and the sudden costs of planning a funeral have become overwhelming for them. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help.
Police are still looking for the driver. They are looking at surveillance video and examining parts recovered from the scene. Some footage has been released to the public in the hopes of identifying the driver:
"We believe we are looking for a gray 2012 Toyota Tacoma or somewhere on that range, year-wise," said Accident Investigation Division Capt. Mark Overwise.
Meanwhile, police are also investigating two other fatal hit-and-run cases, both of which occurred on Jan. 21. The first was in Southwest Philadelphia, along the 2700 block of Island Road, near Tanager Street. Police say a 45-year-old female pedestrian was struck by an unknown car around 9 p.m. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital a short time later.
Less than three hours later, in North Philadelphia, officials say a woman was getting off a bus when she was struck by a red 2006 Chevy Impala. The driver took off. There were several passengers inside. The woman was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly thereafter.
Police released surveillance video in those cases too, which can be viewed below:
Anyone with any information in these deadly cases is encouraged to call the Accident Investigation Division at 215-685-3181 or the police tipline at 215-686-8477. Tips can also be submitted online anonymously.
