A Pennsylvania SUV driver accused of killing a 20-year-old motorcyclist allegedly dragged the young man beneath his vehicle for more than a mile after attempting an illegal U-turn, authorities said.
Derek Reid, 48, faces several charges in the death of Bryce Wolfe, including homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury, according to court records.
Reid has also been charged with reckless driving, careless driving and recklessly endangering another person.
The deadly crash happened at about 11 p.m. on June 24 on Kelly Drive in Philadelphia.
Authorities said Reid was driving an SUV eastbound when he attempted to make an illegal U-turn onto Reservoir Drive. After apparently realizing he could not complete the turn, he allegedly tried to pull back onto the roadway.
Wolfe was riding his motorcycle along Kelly Drive at the same time.
Investigators allege Reid drove directly into Wolfe’s path, causing the motorcycle to crash into the SUV and trapping the young rider underneath the vehicle.
Instead of stopping, Reid allegedly continued driving for more than a mile with Wolfe pinned beneath the SUV.
Wolfe was eventually taken to a nearby hospital, where he died the following morning from his injuries.
“To know your child was under that car in pain, and you protected him his whole life, did everything you could, and you couldn’t be there to help him,” Wolfe’s father, Clarence Wolfe, told WPVI.
Authorities later revealed that Reid was already wanted by Philadelphia police on unrelated charges of rape, sexual assault and corruption of a minor.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service in Philadelphia, Reid was accused of sexually assaulting a minor in 2021.
Federal marshals announced Thursday that Reid had been arrested in the 7200 block of Briar Road in Philadelphia. Officials said he was apparently in the neighborhood to mow lawns when officers located him.
Reid was arraigned early Friday morning in connection with Wolfe’s death. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.
Wolfe was a student at Temple University and was remembered by loved ones as a compassionate and determined young man with a promising future.
“He was a young man with a bright future whose life was cut short by a hit-and-run driver while enjoying a leisurely ride on his motorcycle,” his obituary stated.
“Though his time on earth was far too short, he filled those years with purpose, compassion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.”
