Police in Philadelphia are searching for the driver of a black Infiniti Q50 involved in a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of 77-year-old Dorothea Cathell on Friday evening. The tragic crash occurred around 5:20 p.m. on September 26 at the intersection of 54th Street and Lancaster Avenue in the Overbrook neighborhood, leaving family members and the community devastated.
According to police, Cathell had just finished shopping at ShopRite and was walking home with a cart filled with Halloween decorations when she was struck. Witnesses say the Infiniti, carrying a Delaware paper tag, was speeding eastbound along Lancaster Avenue when it hit her. The impact threw Cathell to the ground as stunned bystanders rushed to her aid.
“I was in my bedroom when I heard a sound like a car crash—it was a loud bang,” recalled witness Jim Burruss. “I ran downstairs and saw her lying in the street. Someone was trying to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived.” Cathell was rushed to Lankenau Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m., less than 30 minutes after the crash.
Authorities said the driver reversed down Lancaster Avenue following the collision before fleeing south. Surveillance footage later showed the driver dropping off a female passenger near a pizza shop at 56th Street and Girard Avenue. Investigators released a photo of the suspect vehicle, describing it as a black Infiniti Q50 with cracked molding on the front bumper and grille, dents on the hood, and a shattered windshield.
At the site of the crash, neighbors have set up a small memorial in Cathell’s honor, leaving flowers and candles where she lost her life. Her grandson, Semaj Suggs, remembered her as a joyful presence in the community. “My grandmother was a wonderful person, loved by everyone. She was always cheerful and positive,” he said. “I am at a loss for words. No words at all.”
Police are urging anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle’s whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Philadelphia Police Department, and authorities stress that even small details could help in identifying the suspect. For residents of Overbrook, the tragedy is another painful reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving on Lancaster Avenue.