What to Know
- Henry Tomah, 62, of Yeadon, was driving to work when he was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene.
- The hit-and-run driver has been identified as Terry Lanier, 27, of Philadelphia.
- Police continue to search for Lanier, who's charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and other related offenses.
A Delaware County family is mourning a man who was on his way to work when he was struck and killed by a speeding, hit-and-run driver, police said.
"I am hurt," Danlette Tomah told NBC10. "I want to know why. Why they did this and ran."
Danlette Tomah's husband, 62-year-old Henry Tomah, was leaving his home in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, Tuesday around 3 p.m. and heading to work.
At the same time, two white vehicles were stopped at a traffic light at Bailey Road and Church Lane. Both drivers spotted an officer exiting a business on foot. Once the light changed they accelerated, driving up to 70 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to investigators.
One of the vehicles made it through the intersection at Church Lane and Darnell Avenue. The second car crashed into Tomah's vehicle. The impact forced Tomah’s car 15 to 20 feet into a telephone pole.
Tomah was trapped inside his car until he was extricated by responding Yeadon Fire personnel. He was taken to the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he died from his injuries later that night.
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"He was everything for us," Tomah's sister, Mary Zou, told NBC10. "Now we've lost him."
Police identified the driver of the striking vehicle as Terry Lanier, 27, of Philadelphia. Another vehicle picked Lanier up and fled the scene moments after the crash, police said.
Investigators said Lanier may have been involved in a street race at the time of the crash.
"A complete and reckless indifference to human life," Yeadon Police Chief Anthony Paparo said. "This guy needs to come in. He needs to atone for what he did."
After fleeing the scene, Lanier allegedly told his sister to call in the getaway vehicle as stolen. Police checked a network of license plate readers and found the car, which was about to be painted, inside a garage, according to investigators.
While police found the vehicle, they continue to search for Lanier. He’s charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving personal injury or death and related offenses.
Tomah was originally from Liberia but had been in the United States for decades. He worked at the King of Prussia Mall and was also a counselor at a group home.
Investigators said Lanier likely has bruising on his face from the airbag. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call police.
