Upper Darby Police Think Car That Killed Man, Dog Was Caught on Video
By Brad Segall and Syma Chowdhry
UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) -- Police in Upper Darby have released video of the car they believe was involved in a deadly hit-and-run accident that killed a man walking his dog on Sunday evening on Providence Road near Arbor Lea Road (see related story).
Police say they secured the video -- believed to be the car prior to striking the victim -- from surveillance cameras at a nearby business.
Richard Patterson, a retired carpenter, was looking for his poodle that got loose.
"He put the leash on the dog and was walking the dog back towards his house," Superintendent Michael Chitwood of Upper Darby Police said.
That's when police say this speeding car hit the 69-year-old man and his beloved pet -- killing both.
"He never saw it coming," Chitwood said.
According to witnesses, several other drivers never stopped to help.
"Drove around Mr. Patterson while he was either dying or dead on the roadway, and his dog, and never stopped, just kept on going," Chitwood said.
Chitwood says authorities are looking for a white, midsize sedan which probably has significant front-end damage, with the bumper falling off.
"Crash debris at the scene indicates that the striking vehicle is also missing a front headlight," Chitwood said today. "We recovered white paint chips at the scene."
Police believe the car was going 50-60 in a 35-miles-per-hour zone.
Investigators are using the evidence taken from the scene and trying to identify the make and model of the car.
There was only one witness who didn't see the crash but saw the car leaving the scene.
Both the man and the dog were pronounced dead at the scene.
Patterson leaves behind his wife Barbara and three kids who declined to talk with reporters.
"I feel bad for them, I'm sure they are still in shock," neighbor Janet Gsell said.
Upper Darby police are asking anyone with information about the accident to call them at 610-743-7677.
