PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia driver will serve time in prison after admitting to striking and killing a woman last year as she crossed a Center City street with her three children and then fleeing the scene.
In a negotiated deal with prosecutors, Dominique Murphy was sentenced to four to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to accident involving death, homicide by vehicle, tampering with evidence and related offenses.
On May 9, around 10 p.m., Karhlina Tillman and her three children were near Broad and Arch streets when Murphy crashed into them, killing the 39-year-old, and severely injuring her 8-year-old daughter. Her 10- and 11-year-old daughters also sustained significant injuries and are getting physical therapy.
Prosecutors say Murphy was speeding when he hit the family. Police had said he then drove back to the pizza shop where he worked and hid the car. Authorities pushed out video and pictures to the media, and the public called in with tips that led them to Murphy.
The defense asked the judge to accept the four- to eight-year prison sentence, saying Murphy struggles with mental health, and noting that his waiver of a preliminary hearing demonstrates he accepts responsibility.
Prosecutors told the judge they explained the charges and the plea deal to the victim's mother, and they were unhappy about the short amount of time Murphy would spend in prison. Now raising all three of her grandchildren, she couldn't be at the sentencing hearing.
In the end, the judge accepted the deal.
