Police have identified the man that was killed in a hit and run while helping to change someone else's tire in North Philadelphia Sunday night.
The victim was identified as 24-year-old Ezequiel Morales, affectionately known as “Izie” by his family.
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Police say Morales was hit by a white van on the 4800 block of Whitaker Ave around 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The victim was transported to the hospital by medics where he was pronounced dead at 6:28 p.m.
An investigating officer said Morales was helping change someone’s tire when he was hit.
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Lia Muniz tells NBC10 her nephew lost his life doing what he loved to do, helping others in need.
"He worked for roadside assistance. That was just a temporary job because he enrolled in school," Muniz said. "I’m not sure if he was on the job or just was just helping someone cause he was that kind of person. If he saw someone in need, he was there to help.”
Police say the white van was last seen fleeing the area heading northbound on Whitaker Avenue and the driver then ditched the van not far from the scene and ran away.
"I do feel very upset for that young man because he was so young and his family. I don’t know what his life was but now it’s gone, that’s a sin that’s horrible," Elizabeth McDonald a neighbor in the area of the hit-and-run said.
At this time police do not have any suspects.
"My nephew was awesome. He was such a good kid. He was such a good kid. He just turned 24 in November, he has two children, just please turn yourself in," Muniz said.
This is the second hit-and-run in Philly over this past weekend, the other involving Philadelphia 76ers player Kelly Oubre Jr. who suffered a broken rib and hurt his hip and leg.
Representatives from the Bike Coalition of Greater Philadelphia are asking for more laws to keep drivers accountable. They say Philly has seen fatal hit-and-run numbers double in the last few years, from 16 pre-pandemic in 2019 to at least 38 so far this year.
"This is why we need vision zero more than ever because the city is still experiencing a very terrible epidemic of traffic violence since the pandemic” Sarah Clark Stuart, with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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