Driver Surrenders After Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident

The man responsible for a Tuesday morning hit-and-run accident that killed at 71-year-old pedestrian turned himself in to authorities, police said.

Mario Rodriguez-Morales, 40, of the 2900 block of Knights Road, turned himself in to Bensalem Police after leaving the scene of a hit and run at Knights Road just north of Dunksferry Road that killed a pedestrian, according to police. Bensalem Police reported to the scene at 6:09 a.m.

Police identified the victim as Madanago Bakthavatchalu, a 71-year-old resident of the 2500 block of Knight Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Bensalem Police Department.

At 6 a.m., police said the striking vehicle—a light-colored pick-up truck—was traveling north on Knights Road at the intersection of Dunksferry Road, then fled the scene. Police were asking for the community's help looking for the vehicle, which they said would have front end damage on the passenger side.

Rodriguez-Morales is being charged with Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury (a third degree felony), Involuntary Manslaughter (a first degree misdemeanor) and various traffic summary offenses, according to Bensalem Police.