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Mother's Plea: Driver Kill 29-Year-Old and Flee
27 Jul
Summary
- A mother begs the driver who killed her daughter to surrender.
- The victim was struck crossing Elmwood Avenue early Monday.
- Police seek a black Dodge Charger with passenger side damage.
A devastating hit-and-run crash in Southwest Philadelphia has claimed the life of 29-year-old Talyia Bernice Nesmith. Nesmith had just exited an Uber around 3:30 a.m. on Monday and was crossing Elmwood Avenue when she was struck by a speeding black car. The force of the impact propelled her into a parked vehicle.
The driver of the striking vehicle, described as a black 2020-2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat or Scat Pack Wide Body, continued eastbound, hitting another parked car before fleeing the scene without stopping. Authorities are seeking this vehicle, which may have damage to its passenger side and windshield.
Nesmith's mother, Lakisha Smith, has made an emotional appeal for the driver to surrender. She described her daughter as a compassionate caregiver with a passion for helping the elderly and children with disabilities. Smith expressed her forgiveness but urged the driver to take responsibility for their actions and turn themselves in to the police.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the incident, showing the car traveling at a high rate of speed. Witnesses at the scene expressed shock and urged anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Division.
