A Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury has recommended a Philadelphia man be charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a skateboarder in Bristol Township last November.
Tajair Anthony Delbridge, 25, turned himself in Friday, May 24, to be arraigned on charges of accidents involving death or personal injury, hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, criminal solicitation, possession of a small amount of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
District Judge Kevin P. Wagner set bail at $2 million, 10%.
Joel Moreau, 28, of Bristol Township, was killed around 10:16 p.m. Nov. 24, as he rode his skateboard on the 1500 block of Haines Road.
The Investigating Grand Jury heard testimony from several witnesses and reviewed evidence to reach the recommendation to charge Delbridge. Also testifying was Bristol Township Sgt. Mark Titus, who investigated the crash.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office gave the following account of the case.
The investigation concluded that on Nov. 24, Delbridge was the driver involved in a fatal crash that killed Moreau. After the crash occurred, Delbridge fled the scene, abandoned the vehicle and attempted to have it reported stolen.
The investigation began after Bristol Township police were dispatched to a fatal hit-and-run crash in the area of 1522 Haines Road. Upon arrival, police located a pedestrian, later identified as Moreau, deceased in the northbound lane.
An eyewitness reported seeing a newer model red Kia traveling behind Moreau, who was on a skateboard. After hearing a loud bang, the witness reported that the skateboarder was unresponsive on the road, and the red Kia had extensive front-end damage and ultimately fled the scene.
The investigation revealed the vehicle was a 2022 red Kia K5, which was found abandoned after the crash. The damage to the vehicle was consistent with a pedestrian strike. Police could smell marijuana inside the car and located marijuana-related paraphernalia.
Police contacted the owner of the vehicle and learned that the vehicle had been rented to Delbridge through a private rental business. Delbridge contacted the business owner at 10:40 p.m., about a half-hour after the crash, and told her to report the car stolen.
Surveillance footage was recovered from a nearby business, which showed the red Kia pulling into the lot. The driver and a female passenger exited the vehicle before getting back inside and driving out of the lot. The Kia was later found a few miles away. Police were able to identify the female passenger and confirmed that Delbridge was the operator.
This case was investigated by Bristol Township Police, with the assistance of Bucks County 21st Investigating Grand Jury.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
