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'She's An Angel': Police, Family Pleading For Witnesses To Come Forward After 82-Year-Old Woman Killed In Northeast Philly Hit-And-Run

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police and family are making a plea for any witnesses to come forward after an elderly woman carrying groceries was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in Northeast Philadelphia. Police say 82-year-old Yulia Sherman was crossing the road at Bustleton Avenue and Hendrix Street on Thursday, around 6 p.m., when a car hit her.

Yulia Sherman
(credit: CBS3)

The grandmother was from the Somerton section of Philadelphia.

Police say Sherman had just finished grocery shopping when a vehicle struck her and kept going.

Investigators believe that vehicle is possibly a dark-colored SUV.

"Ms. Sherman was coming from the NetCost Market with groceries. She was crossing in the crosswalk right out front of the entrance to the Leo Mall, 11800 Bustleton Avenue, when she was struck by a vehicle that kept going," Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Overwise said.

The vehicle was last seen traveling northbound on Bustleton Avenue.

"We did recover some small parts to the vehicle. Nothing with any labels or numbers on it that we can trace," Overwise said.

Sherman's relatives spoke about her life as a leader in this community. Mark Ingerman, Sherman's son-in-law, says Sherman immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1978.

"I can't say anything more about her soul that is more giving. She's an angel. We will miss her and her grandkids will miss her," Ingerman said.

She later opened two businesses over the years: a Russian grocery store named A&M Supermarket on Old Bustleton Avenue and Odessa's Restaurant near Bustleton Avenue and Red Lion Road.

Sherman's daughter, Alla Sherman, is pleading for anyone to come forward.

"If anybody witnessed that accident, please contact the police as soon as possible so that our family can be at peace and we can find out exactly what happened," Sherman said.

"Somebody had to have seen something. I am asking you from the bottom of my family's heart, please, please reach out to the local police," Ingerman said.

Police have this message for the person responsible for this deadly hit-and-run.

"It looks better if you come to us before we come to you and, eventually, we will find you," Overwise said.

Police are searching nearby security cameras for any leads on the driver.

Yulia Sherman left behind two children and five grandchildren.

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