Pennsylvania State Police looking for driver believed to be involved in fatal I-95 hit-and-run

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A woman who authorities believe was struck by a vehicle on I-95 earlier this month has died. Pennsylvania State Police are searching for the driver of what may be a white Jeep.

State police believe the woman, whom officials have identified as Tess Merkle, was struck on Saturday, Sept. 7, around 10:30 p.m. by a white SUV in the northbound lanes of the expressway near the Philadelphia International Airport exit. She was severely injured and taken to the hospital, where she died about a week later.

Officials confirm that Merkle had been in an Uber earlier that evening out of Media, Delaware County.

How she ended up on the side of I-95 is still under investigation — but authorities are continuing to search for the SUV. They believe it might be a Jeep with damage to the passenger-side panel and side mirror.

Anyone who has information about the vehicle involved or the driver, or information regarding this incident, is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 215-452-5216 and reference incident number PA2024-1171509.