Man formally charged with death of 14-year-old Dawn Watson

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The man accused of striking and killing a 14-year-old as she crossed a West Philadelphia street with her mother last month has been formally charged with her death.

Marvin Wicker, 40, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals inside a Germantown rooming house a week after an arrest warrant was issued for the killing of Dawn Watson. He was wanted for homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, accident involving death without a license, reckless endangerment and related charges.

Authorities say Wicker sped through a red light and struck Watson as she was crossing Haverford Avenue near 66th Street on Sept. 26, then took off. Watson had just picked up groceries at a store with her mother.

Investigators say they found the car Wicker drove a few days later covered with a tarp. The crime scene unit processed the car and officials say Wicker was the owner.

Wicker is a registered sex offender, convicted of aggravated indecent assault, and currently faces retail theft charges.