Posted on Mon, Aug. 25, 2008
Cabbie charged in Logan hit-run
By Edward Colimore
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Police last night charged a Yellow Cab Co. driver with vehicular homicide in an early-morning hit-and-run in Logan that left a young mother clinging to life and her 5-year-old son dead.
The man, identified by the Daily News as Yves Aristilde, 62, of Olney, surrendered to authorities last night, telling police at the 35th District that he had heard that they wanted to talk to him, according to police spokeswoman Christine O'Brien.
He was later charged and was awaiting arraignment early this morning.
Police had been seeking the driver who struck Dana Reynolds, 23, and her son Tyrell Elliott while the two were crossing Windrim Avenue near Lindley Avenue about 2:30 a.m. — and then sped off, later ditching the vehicle.
Police said the child was in his mother's arms when the cab plowed into them. They were rushed to nearby Albert Einstein Medical Center, where the child died and his mother remained last night in serious condition with undisclosed injuries.
About 6 a.m. yesterday, police found an abandoned Yellow Cab suspected to have been involved in the hit-and-run, launching a daylong manhunt.
The vehicle was at Sixth Street and Lindley Avenue, less than a mile from the accident scene. Its windshield was smashed and it had other damage.
An employee at Yellow Cab Co. who did not disclose her name said last night the company "would have no comment at this time" and hung up.
A person answering a call to the phone number posted on the side of the Yellow Cab recovered by police said no information would be given out.
As the police investigation continued, a makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed animals grew yesterday at Windrim and Lindley.
Members of the victims' family also gathered at the location to pray.
Tyrell was reportedly about to enter kindergarten in a few days. A coloring book and crayons were found near the scene of the accident.
The boy's father, William Elliott, told NBC10 that Reynolds was taking Tyrell to see him while he worked late.
Elliott had pleaded with the cab driver to come forward, saying: "I forgive you. It's not me, the one who has to give the forgiveness, it's God that has to do the forgiveness."
Contact staff writer Edward Colimore at 856-779-3833 or ecolimore@phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writer Jeff Gammage contributed to this article.
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