PHILADELPHIA, PA – A well-known Philadelphia barber tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident on Tuesday night while he was crossing the street in the West Oak Lane neighborhood. Toby Bryant, 47, was the victim of the fatal incident, as confirmed by the Philadelphia Police.
The hit-and-run occurred just past 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Law enforcement and medical first responders arrived at the 7900 block of Ogontz Avenue following multiple 911 calls reporting a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. At the scene, Bryant was found lying in the middle of the roadway, critically injured with severe head trauma. His death was declared at 11:18 p.m.
From discussions with witnesses and the examination of private surveillance footage, police discovered that Bryant was hit while trying to cross the street by a vehicle suspected to be a light-colored sedan moving at a high speed along Ogontz Avenue. The force at which Bryant was hit caused his body to be dragged several feet.
According to witness accounts, the driver briefly halted about 100-200 feet from the point of the collision before exiting the vehicle, surveying the scene, returning to the vehicle, and driving away. The vehicle, believed to be a silver Ford sedan, was last spotted heading north on the 8000 block of Ogontz Avenue.
Bryant, who fathered four children, worked as a popular barber at the Golden Comb, located two blocks from the incident. His customary barber’s chair was draped with a black cape in tribute to his memory.
While Bryant’s family seeks solace, they call for accountability. They hope the person responsible comes forward to offer them closure.
Law enforcement reassures they have multiple camera angles of the incident and remain confident about apprehending the guilty driver.
Details of the suspected vehicle have been released: a 2005-2007 silver Ford Five Hundred with probable damage to the front end and windshield and possible pre-existing damage to the rear quarter panel on the driver’s side.