Temple student killed in Philadelphia hit-and-run was a "standout in the classroom," university says

Philadelphia police are still searching for leads in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 20-year-old Temple University student and motorcycle safety instructor.

Bryce Wolfe was on his motorcycle on Kelly Drive near Reservoir Drive when the crash occurred on Wednesday, June 24.

Around 11:15 p.m., a white SUV was driving eastbound on Kelly Drive when it attempted to make an illegal turn onto Reservoir Drive, police said in a news release. The driver then attempted to return to the eastbound lane and entered Wolfe's path as he drove west on his 2004 Triumph motorcycle.

Wolfe's motorcycle hit the SUV and he became trapped under the car, according to police.

Police said the SUV driver kept driving, dragging Wolfe for more than 1 mile, before he became dislodged near the intersection with Fountain Green Drive. The driver continued eastbound without stopping and has not yet been identified.

Wolfe was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with a fractured leg and head injuries. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to police.

After initially being placed in critical condition, Wolfe was pronounced dead shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.

According to his LinkedIn page, Wolfe was enrolled at Temple University's Fox School of Business, where he studied actuarial science. He was also an instructor with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In a social media post, a colleague said Wolfe was "one of the most respected instructors at MSF."

His parents described Wolfe as an honor student at Temple and a state-certified motorcycle rider coach who emphasized the importance of riding safely

"He loved helping everybody," his mother, Lori Wolfe, said, "and he thought it was very important to teach people how to be safe on the road."

She said her son never rode without protective equipment.

"He never went out on that bike without full gear," she said. "He would say, 'You dress for the slide, you don't dress for the ride.'"

Wolfe's father, Clarence Wolfe III, said investigators told the family his son was riding in his own lane when the crash occurred.

"He was in his own lane," he said. "For some reason, and we don't know why, whoever hit him crossed over into his lane."

The family is pleading for anyone with information to come forward.

"Why would a human being drag another human being over a mile and not get out to see what happened?" Clarence Wolfe III said. "Obviously, they know what they did."

Lori Wolfe believes the outcome could have been different if the driver had stopped.

"If they would've just stopped after they hit him, he might still be alive," she said. "We might have our son today had they stopped."

Clarence Wolfe III also urged anyone who may have witnessed the crash or noticed anything unusual to contact investigators.

"I'm begging the public ... if anybody saw anything at all, even if they think it's insignificant, please call the police," he said. "Please try to help us out. Please try to give us some closure in this horror movie we're going through."

In a statement Tuesday, Temple said Wolfe was an "excellent student and engaged member of the Temple community."

"A standout in the classroom, Bryce maintained a high GPA while being enrolled in both the Temple and Fox Honors programs," the statement said in part. "His recognition as a recipient of both the Provost's Academic Scholarship and the Fox School of Business Endowed Scholarship further illustrates his status as an emerging scholar." 

Temple said support will be available for students through Tuttleman Counseling Services.

Police have not determined the make and model of the vehicle that struck Wolfe. It's believed to be a white SUV and it may have damage on the driver's side, including broken glass or damage to the front wheel well, fender and door.

Police are looking for information from anyone who may have seen a vehicle matching the description, or those brought to an auto-body shop for repairs. You can contact the Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3181 or submit a tip at 215-686-TIPS.

"A terrible event like this reminds us how fragile life can be," the statement from Temple read in part. "It will no doubt affect many of us and in a variety of ways. We extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to those who were closest to Bryce, especially his family and friends."