Philly man admits to hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a wheelchair-bound woman in Lower Merion.

In a tragic incident in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, 38-year-old Jamal McCullough has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a fatal hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of 61-year-old Tracey Carey, who was wheelchair-bound. The accident took place on November 11, 2024, when McCullough struck Carey with his Toyota Camry as she attempted to cross a highway outside of a designated crosswalk.

McCullough entered his guilty plea on a day he was scheduled to go to trial for the accident, prompting significant reactions from Carey’s family, who were present in court. They expressed disappointment over McCullough’s apparent lack of remorse following the incident, voicing frustration at the justice process.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, McCullough has been sentenced to serve a term of three to six years in state prison, which represents the mandatory minimum for the charges brought against him. The case highlights critical issues surrounding road safety and the responsibilities of drivers, particularly in instances involving pedestrians with disabilities.

On the morning of the accident, which occurred around 2:14 a.m., McCullough was en route to his job as a sanitation worker with Waste Management. Following the collision, surveillance footage recorded him briefly stopping to assess the damage to his vehicle in a nearby parking lot. Notably, reports indicate that he walked within feet of Carey’s body without offering assistance. It was another driver who witnessed the collision who promptly called 911 and took measures to divert traffic away from the scene, thereby attempting to protect Carey until help arrived.

Carey was subsequently transported to Lankenau Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators later connected McCullough to the wreckage using remnants of his vehicle found at the scene, alongside video evidence from nearby surveillance cameras. Initially, McCullough misled coworkers about the nature of the damage to his car, claiming it had been affected while parked. However, following media coverage of the incident, he eventually acknowledged hitting a person in a wheelchair and conveyed intentions to turn himself in.

The tragic events surrounding this case raise awareness about pedestrian safety and the critical importance of drivers’ responsibilities to remain vigilant and considerate, especially in areas frequented by individuals with disabilities. As communities continue to advocate for safer road conditions, the circumstances surrounding this incident serve as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of reckless driving.

The sentencing of McCullough represents a legal consequence for his actions but also emphasizes the ongoing need for greater awareness and enforcement of pedestrian rights among motorists.

This story is reported by Media News Source.