North Philadelphia Pastor Killed In Hit & Run
By Kim Glovas and Rahel Solomon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A North Philadelphia church congregation is in mourning, after an assistant pastor was killed by a hit and run driver Thursday night.
Now police are searching for surveillance.
Officials say when a driver is involved in this type of accident, the best thing to do is stay at the scene. But this driver did not, and now police, a church, and a family are hoping that someone comes forward.
Friends and family say he died doing what he loved, helping others.
"We had a service last night, he was preaching, he had a great message after the service was over he drove the boys here to the house," said Head Pastor Teofil Claudio.
That message would be the last for who friends identify as Eliezer Leon, a volunteer pastor.
Pastor Leon was on his way home Thursday night, after preaching at a nearby church and returning to the Soldiers of the Lord Recovery House on Front Street. He'd dropped off some men who had gone with him. Ten minutes later, Head Pastor Teofilo Claudio, was told there had been an accident up the street.
"I went out and I saw this man laying there, and I recognized that it was "Ellie" Eliazer Leon, and I said 'Oh My God,' and it put me in a state of shock," Claudio said.
Police say as Leon tried to get into this white Dodge van, a driver traveling northbound on front hit Leon so hard, it knocked the door off and dragged Leon about 20 feet, the driver kept going.
"I saw the people trying to help this gentleman out, he was on the floor, everybody was frantic," said Virginia Cartagena, a witness.
Their efforts however were unsuccessful, Leon died early Friday morning at Temple University Hospital. Now police and family are urging the driver of a dark colored Saab to do right by a man who did so much good for others.
"The reality is today with technology being what it is, in terms of video surveillance being out there, it's not one of those things where you're going to get away with it," said Lt. John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police.
"You took away the life of a good man, and you now you need to step up and face what you did," said William Leon, victim's brother.
Pastor Claudio referred to his assistant as one of a kind.
"He was a special man and a believer who loved people. He loved the Gospel and he loved to serve. He never discriminated against anybody, and he was always someone to engage in any activities."
"He was humble, he'd always encourage us to stay away from drugs," said Manuel Colon, the victim's friend.
Leon's family is planning on holding a memorial service in Connecticut.
