A Philadelphia man who allegedly struck and killed a Drexel Hill motorcyclist while fleeing from police in a stolen car in January was formally arraigned Wednesday on homicide and related charges.
Zamir Walthour, 23, Philadelphia, is charged with 18 counts including driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, fleeing or eluding police, possession of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment, failure to stop and render aid and careless driving with unintentional death.
Defense attorney Luke Mercurio said his client stood mute on all charges and Common Pleas Court Judge Margaret Amoroso entered a plea of “not guilty” pon his behalf.
According to information previously provided by Pennsylvania State Police:
Chester officers spotted a black Toyota Camry reported stolen out Philadelphia and initiated a traffic stop about 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 12 at MacDade Boulevard and Bullens Lane in Ridley Township.
The driver, later identified as Walthour, pulled off at a high rate of speed, ramming a Chester patrol vehicle in the process.
The Camry, still speeding, traveled onto I-476 southbound from MacDade and traveled onto the shoulder.
Firoz Jahangir, 53, Drexel Hill, was on his stopped 2008 Piaggio on the on-ramp just before northbound Interstate 95. He was getting started from the stopped position when the Camry hit Jahangir’s bike from behind.
Walthour kept driving, but the Camry become disabled on the I-95 ramp and he was taken into custody. He was also found to be in possession of cocaine and marijuana.
Jahngir was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time, troopers said.
Walthour waived a preliminary hearing last month and remains in custody at the county jail in Concord on 10% of $250,000 cash bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference May 15. Assistant District Attorney Shuaiyb Newton is prosecuting.
