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Assistant pastor fatally struck in Kensington hit-run

Police were looking for the driver who hit and killed a 57-year-old clergyman who was getting into a church van Thursday night in Kensington.

Pastor Teofilo Claudio stands in front of the van that Eliaser Leon was entering when another driver ran into the door, killing him. Police are still searching for the driver.
Pastor Teofilo Claudio stands in front of the van that Eliaser Leon was entering when another driver ran into the door, killing him. Police are still searching for the driver.Read moreRobert Moran / STAFF

Police were looking for the driver who hit and killed a 57-year-old clergyman who was getting into a church van Thursday night in Kensington.

The victim, identified by church members as Eliaser Leon, had just opened the driver's door of the white 2002 Dodge Ram van around 10 p.m. on the 2100 block of North Front Street when he was struck by a passing vehicle, possibly a Saab.

Leon was dragged about 15 feet by the vehicle, which sped north on Front Street, police said. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. Friday.

Leon was assistant pastor at Movimiento Pentecostal El Estanque Siloe in North Philadelphia, said the church's pastor, Teofilo Claudio.

"He loved people," Claudio said of Leon.

The van was parked outside the Soldier of the Lord Ministry, a church-run residential center for men overcoming drug and alcohol abuse.

Some of the men had attended the church Thursday night, and Leon drove them back to the rehab house. Leon was about to drive home in the van when he was hit.

Claudio was alerted that someone outside had been hurt. He went outside and found Leon face down in the street.

"It was devastating," Claudio said.

Leon's funeral will take place in Connecticut, where his daughter lives, Claudio said.

Claudio called on the hit-and-run driver to come forward.

Leon's family "needs to know who you are."

Police said the vehicle that hit Leon may have been a 2003-2007 Saab 9-3 with front-end damage and a flat front tire, both on the passenger side.

The car would also have a black passenger-side mirror with significant scuffing, and the front windshield on the passenger side may also be damaged. Police recovered a Saab logo at the scene, but had no description of the driver.

Investigators were looking for surveillance footage in the area.

Anyone with information should call the Accident Investigation District at 215-685-3180 or -3181.

shawj@phillynews.com

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.