Executive Summary
- Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca was killed in a hit-and-run on January 9, 2006, at Cottman Avenue and Hawthorne Street.
- Witnesses reported the driver stopped briefly a block away before fleeing the scene.
- The suspect vehicle is identified as a two-tone red 1987-1989 Ford F150 with specific body details.
- The Citizens Crime Commission is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.
Philadelphia police and the Citizens Crime Commission are renewing their call for public assistance in identifying the driver responsible for the hit-and-run death of a local nun, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Authorities are hoping that renewed public attention and specific details regarding the suspect vehicle will generate new leads in the unresolved case involving Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca.
According to police reports, the incident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. on January 9, 2006. Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), was walking to church when she was struck while crossing the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Hawthorne Street. Investigators state she was hit by a pickup truck making a left turn from Hawthorne Street.
Witnesses at the scene told police that the driver of the truck momentarily stopped a block away from the impact site before fleeing the scene without rendering aid. Sister Paul Perreca subsequently died from her injuries. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police described the victim as a prominent community figure who taught eighth grade at St. Martin of Tours School, noting that her death left “a profound void in the parish.”
Investigators have released a detailed description of the suspect vehicle in hopes of jogging memories. The truck is described as a two-tone red Ford F150, model year 1987 to 1989. Police noted the vehicle featured silver running boards, the word “FORD” displayed on the tailgate, and an eight-foot bed lacking a toolbox or ladder rack at the time of the crash. Furthermore, investigators stated the vehicle would have had a missing or broken front driver-side amber lamp following the collision.
Investigative Outlook
The reactivation of this cold case highlights the enduring challenges law enforcement faces with vehicular homicides where forensic evidence may be limited to the scene of the crash. By leveraging specific vehicle descriptors and the passage of time—which can sometimes prompt witnesses to come forward who were previously hesitant—authorities are aiming to break the two-decade stalemate. The Citizens Crime Commission is offering a reward for information leading to a resolution. While police are actively pursuing the unidentified driver, it is important to note that any individual eventually charged in connection with this incident is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
