Philadelphia Man Turns Himself In After Fatal Hit-and-Run Killed Grandmother Bringing Home Halloween Decorations
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — A 77-year-old grandmother, remembered by loved ones as the heart of her family, was killed in a hit-and-run crash while bringing home Halloween decorations from a neighborhood ShopRite. Police say the man accused of striking her has since turned himself in.
Victim Identified as Dorothea Cathell
The victim, identified as Dorothea Cathell, was pushing her shopping cart through an intersection in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia on September 26 when she was struck by a black Infiniti Q50, according to police.
The impact left the vehicle’s windshield shattered and its hood dented. Cathell was rushed to a nearby hospital but died of her injuries shortly after.
Suspect Arrested After Days on the Run
Investigators identified 47-year-old Michael Harper as the suspected driver. After days of searching, Harper arrived at the Philadelphia Police Department’s 1st District headquarters on Monday to turn himself in.
Harper now faces multiple charges, including:
- Homicide by vehicle (DUI)
- Homicide by vehicle
- Accident involving death
- Recklessly endangering another person
- Reckless driving
Aftermath of the Crash
According to reports, Harper allegedly reversed his vehicle and fled the scene immediately after striking Cathell. Police later found the damaged Infiniti at an auto shop, where it was impounded as part of the investigation.
Authorities said Harper even dropped off a female passenger at a pizza shop following the crash before disappearing.
Family and Community Mourn
Cathell’s family told NBC Philadelphia that she was returning home from a grocery trip when she was struck, and that her cart had been filled with Halloween decorations for her loved ones.
Her sister, Mary Miles, described her as a woman deeply cherished: “She meant a lot to everybody. To the world, she was just a person, but to her family, she was the world. So knowing what I know about her, it’s just unbelievable that someone would just leave her there.”
A roadside memorial now stands where Cathell was killed, with the crushed shopping cart serving as a painful reminder of her final moments.
The Overbrook community continues to grieve the loss of Dorothea Cathell while calling for justice and safer streets. For more local crime and community safety news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.