Cops Make Arrest in Temple Hit-and-Run

Rashan Roberts, via Philadelphia Police, and Rachel Hall, via Facebook.

Philadelphia police have made an arrest in the hit-and-run of Temple student Rachel Hall. Cops arrested 18-year-old Rashan “Robert” Roberts, charging him with leaving the scene of an accident that causes a grave injury. It is a third-degree felony.

Police say Hall, 22, was bicycling last week on the 1300 block of West Diamond Street when Roberts hit her with his car. She suffered severe head trauma and a compound fracture to her left leg. She remains unconscious. Roberts turned himself in the next day.

Hall was about to take her final exams when she was stuck by the car. She will graduate from Temple on Friday, and her mother will take part in graduation ceremonies in her stead.

At a press conference, Capt. Robert Wilczynski said Roberts likely wouldn’t have been charged had he stayed at the scene. Police did say, however, that Roberts did not have a license.

“Rachel is getting such excellent treatment for such a complicated accident,” Hall’s mother wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to Rachel’s recovery. “Having trust in the doctors and staff who treat Rachel is so comforting. That’s my baby, I want the best for her, and I feel she is receiving the best care possible. Thank you Temple University Hospital!”

At the baccalaureate ceremony for Liberal Arts graduates on Friday, Temple will call Rachel Hall’s name first.

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