PA PA-Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca, IHM,61, enroute to church, fatally struck by hit & run driver, Cottman/Hawthorne St., 9 Jan., 2006, *New initiative*

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L to R: Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca, a photo of a pickup truck similar to the hit-and-run vehicle
Jan. 14, 2026

Philly police work to solve cold case hit-and-run death of nun

Philadelphia police are seeking the public's help in solving the cold case of a nun who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver 20 years ago.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

Philadelphia police continue to investigate the cold case of a nun who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver 20 years ago.

''On Jan. 9, 2006, shortly before 6:30 a.m., Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca, IHM, was on her way to church as she crossed the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Hawthorne Street. She was then struck by a pickup truck that was making a left turn from Hawthorne Street.

Witnesses told police the driver of the pickup truck momentarily stopped a block away from the crash before fleeing the scene. The driver never tried to help Sister Paul Perreca who died from her injuries.

With Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of Sister Paul Perreca's death, Philadelphia Police and the Citizens Crime Commission are revamping their efforts to solve the case and are asking for the public’s help.

The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a two-tone red 1987 to 1989 Ford F150 pickup truck. The vehicle had silver running boards, the word “FORD” on the tailgate, and an eight-foot bed with no toolbox or ladder rack at the time.''

 

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January 14, 2026 rbbm.

Tips sought in 2006 hit-and-run that killed IHM nun - Northeast Times

The Philadelphia Police Department and the Citizens Crime Commission are renewing their appeal for public assistance in solving a fatal hit-and-run cold case

northeasttimes.com

''Police are asking the public to recall any information regarding a specific vehicle seen in the area or undergoing sudden repairs in January 2006. The vehicle is described as a 1987 to 1989 Ford F150 pickup truck, two-tone red. It had silver running boards, “F O R D” embossed on the tailgate and an 8-foot bed with no toolbox or ladder rack at the time. The vehicle left the scene with a missing or broken front, driver-side amber lamp.

A reward for information leading to an arrest remains active through the Citizens Crime Commission. Authorities urge anyone who may have lived in the neighborhood at the time, worked in automotive repair or heard details regarding the crash to come forward.''

''At the time of her death, Sister Paul was head of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Education Center at St. Martin’s. The school named its library in Sister Paul’s memory.''