Philadelphia Police Struggle to Solve Fatal Hit-and-Runs

Data shows 80 percent of fatal hit-and-run cases in Philadelphia have gone unsolved since 2019.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a fractured headlight lens on a dark urban street, evoking the unresolved nature of hit-and-run investigations. — Philadelphia police have struggled to solve most fatal hit-and-run cases since 2019, closing only 44 of 230 incidents despite ongoing investigative efforts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust that local police are doing enough to solve fatal hit-and-run crimes?

Philadelphia police have struggled to identify drivers in hundreds of fatal hit-and-run incidents, successfully closing only 44 cases out of 230 since 2019. This high rate of unsolved cases complicates justice for families and highlights the persistent difficulty of identifying perpetrators.

Why it matters

Identifying drivers remains a significant hurdle for investigators, particularly when vehicles are shared among household members or surveillance footage fails to provide clear evidence. These investigative gaps leave the vast majority of fatal hit-and-run victims without legal resolution.

Of the 230 fatal hit-and-run incidents reported since 2019, only 44 have resulted in arrests by the Philadelphia Crash Investigation Division. The case regarding the death of Mark McDonald-Ringgold is currently held by the District Attorney's Office.

The players

Philadelphia Crash Investigation Division

This police unit is responsible for investigating motor vehicle accidents and currently employs 18 detectives to handle these cases.

Mark McDonald-Ringgold

He was a 32-year-old individual who died following a hit-and-run collision in the city.

District Attorney's Office

This legal agency is responsible for reviewing and prosecuting criminal cases presented by city law enforcement.

The details

Detectives rely on vehicle fragments recovered from crash scenes to narrow down potential makes and models, while also leveraging cellphone GPS data and limited witness footage to track suspects. The division employs 18 investigators to manage these complex cases, which often face evidentiary challenges due to poor surveillance quality.

Statistics regarding fatal hit-and-run crashes in the city have been recorded since 2019.
Mark McDonald-Ringgold was struck by an SUV on July 31, 2025.
Mark McDonald-Ringgold died from his injuries on August 1, 2025.

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Legal Context

The citys inability to solve 80 percent of fatal hit-and-runs persists despite the $5 million allocated annually to traffic safety measures. This ongoing investigative challenge stands in contrast to the scale of investment in local road infrastructure and safety initiatives.

Residents may see an increase in police investigative activity as the city prepares to implement a $20,000 reward program for information. This initiative aims to assist in closing cold cases and improving community safety in neighborhoods plagued by hit-and-run incidents.

The takeaway

The difficulty of securing justice in hit-and-run cases often stems from a lack of clear visual evidence and the complexities of vehicle ownership. Families impacted by these events should monitor updates regarding the upcoming city reward program to assist investigators in identifying responsible drivers.