Pennsylvania

Man Charged in Connection With Hit-and-Run Death of Vietnam Veteran

Samuel Jackson, 67, was getting out of his car along Astor Street Sunday night when a car struck and killed him, family says

What to Know

  • Samuel Jackson died after being struck by a car just feet from his Norristown home Sunday night.
  • Jackson was a Vietnam War veteran, and a local VFW post is helping the family find a uniform for his burial.
  • Nemias Perez-Severiano was charged Wednesday with reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident.

A man turned himself in to Norristown Police Wednesday and was charged in connection with the hit-and-run death of a Vietnam veteran.

Nemias Perez-Severiano, 31, is charged with accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, reckless driving and other related offenses.

Perez-Severiano's lawyer did not return a call for comment on the case.

The charges stem from the hit-and-run death of Samuel Jackson, 67, just hours before Veterans Day.

On Sunday, shortly before 6:30 p.m., Jackson parked his vehicle near his home on the 600 block of Astor Street in Norristown.

Jackson exited and was standing near his open driver side door when a 2009 Toyota Scion made a right turn onto Astor Street. The vehicle struck Jackson, knocking him to the ground and dragging him about 55 feet. The impact knocked off Jackson's shoes, glasses and hat. 

The driver of the Scion briefly stopped, looked toward the crash scene and then drove off, investigators said.

Responding officers found Jackson unresponsive in the street. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:59 p.m. that evening.

After interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, police identified Perez-Severiano as the suspected driver of the Scion.

During an interview with investigators, Perez-Severiano allegedly admitted to drinking seven to eight beers while out with a group of people at a Norristown bar around 1 p.m. Sunday. He also told detectives he was "a little drunk" when he left the bar around 6 p.m. that night, according to the affidavit.

Perez-Severiano does not have a valid driver's license and the Scion belongs to his wife, according to detectives. They also said they noticed damage to the vehicle when they took him into custody on Monday.

Perez-Severiano is being held in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $200,000 bail.

"I hope he's punished by law for what he did because my brother was a good person," Bernice Jackson, Samuel Jackson's sister, told NBC10.

The community has rallied around Jackson, whom his niece calls "Uncle Sam."

Jackson served in the Marines. A local VFW post is helping the family find a uniform so that Jackson can be buried in it; they are still looking for a jacket and belt.

“He was well-loved as well as a vet,” Jackson’s niece, Tione Jackson, said. "He fought for this country and we need to fight for his rights.

Tione Jackson also had a message for the hit-and-run driver prior to Perez-Severiano's arrest.

"God sees all. So one day you will be held accountable, but the family that I have, we're going to make sure you're accountable," she said. "We're going to make sure, I promise you that. Rest in peace Uncle Sam, we will love you for life."

Officials continue to investigate the incident. If you have any information on Perez-Severiano or the crash, call Norristown Police at 610-270-0977 or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.

, of the 200 block of E Main Street in Norristown, of the 200 block of E Main Street in Norristown
Nemias Perez Severiano mugshot
Nemias Perez Severiano. See larger image here.
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