Record discloses grim details of fatal Cherry Hill hit-and-run on Thanksgiving Day
CHERRY HILL - A motorist accused of killing a pedestrian here allegedly parked his vehicle and walked to the victim before fleeing the scene, a court record says.
The body of 29-year-old Tabreia Ewing of Camden was not found for more than 16 hours after she was struck and thrown onto a grassy median of Route 70, according to Cherry Hill police.
Investigators allege the motorist, Michael R. Rodgers Jr. of Philadelphia, hit Ewing around 7:10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Ewing had just left an NJ Transit bus and was trying to cross the multi-lane highway when she was struck by Rodgers' westbound pickup truck, police say.
Rodgers allegedly turned onto Sayer Avenue, which is on the highway's eastbound side, and parked his pickup truck in the lot of a Holiday Inn, says a statement asserting probable cause for his arrest.
"He exited the vehicle, walked along the median to the body of the pedestrian, returned to his vehicle and fled the area west on Route 70," the statement says.
Ewing's body was found around 11:35 a.m. the next day.
Rodgers, also 29, admitted to being involved in the crash when questioned by investigators at his home on the 900 block of Spruce Street, the statement says.
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He acknowledged parking his vehicle "and checking the area where the victim came to rest," it adds. "He admitted to leaving the scene and returning to his home."
Rodgers was charged on Thursday, Dec. 2, with knowingly leaving the scene of a fatal accident and obstructing the administration of law.
The obstruction charge was filed because Rodgers allegedly removed broken lights from the front of his vehicle, a criminal complaint says.
His arrest followed an extensive investigation that included assistance from the Delaware River Port Authority and Philadelphia police departments, according to Cherry Hill police.
Rodgers surrendered to authorities on Dec. 3 and has since been released to await trial.
The charges against Rodgers are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.
Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Cherry Hill NJ: Fatal Thanksgiving Day hit-and-run details
