Watch CBS News

Philadelphia Man Charged In Deadly Cheltenham Hit-Run

CHELTENHAM, Pa. (CBS) - Montgomery County authorities say they now have the driver in custody who fled from the scene of a deadly crash outside the Cedarbrook Mall in Cheltenham last week -- a crash that claimed the life of a 53-year-old wife and mother from Philadelphia.

Prosecutors credit a "Good Samaritan" for providing police with the license plate number that led them to 24-year-old George Humphrey of Philadelphia, who is now facing numerous charges including vehicular homicide.

Humphrey is accused of running down Michelle Powell on Cheltenham Avenue last week and leaving her to die.

Montgomery County district attorney Risa Ferman says Humphrey fled and then tried to cover it up.

"He used bleach and water to clean off the car, and it was in fact quite cleaned -- cleaned all the blood off the side of the car and the windshield," the DA said on Thursday.  "He dumped the car in Camden with the keys in the ignition, which is actually where we were able to find it."

Ferman says it was his girlfriend who came clean and told police what had happened.  She says the car was never registered, there was no insurance, and Humphrey was driving with a suspended license.

Watch the video...

Michelle Powell's family members held a candle light vigil at the location of the accident Thursday evening.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.