Cops ID woman in fatal hit-run in Kensington

THE WOMAN who was killed in a hit-and-run on Christmas night in Kensington was identified by police Thursday as Denise Williams, 54, of Overbrook.

She had been walking along Frankford Avenue near Wishart Street about 8:10 p.m. Tuesday when she fell in the driveway of a Family Dollar store, witnesses told investigators.

A black Dodge Charger made a right turn into the driveway, striking her. Witnesses told police that the driver, a Hispanic woman in her 40s, got out of the car, then got back in and drove off. She was last seen heading west on Wishart.

Williams, of Euclid Street near 54th, was taken to Temple University Hospital with head trauma and was pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m.

Sally Durham, a friend, said she last saw Williams during a holiday party on Christmas Eve at a bar called Chuckles on Frankford Avenue, about a block from the tragic scene.

"She was a very nice person, and I was shocked to hear that happened to her. She worked hard," said Durham, 59. "All of us [were] devastated. That's how well-liked she was."

Williams worked as a private security guard and often visited a friend in the area, according to Durham. She would frequent the bar after work, and recently had talked about taking a second job, Durham said.

"She deserved better than that. She didn't bother nobody," said Durham. "We're going to miss her."

Durham said Williams did not appear to have any serious medical conditions that would explain why she fell. She said she did not know if Williams had been drinking.

Police on Thursday were still searching for the driver of the car. They reviewed surveillance footage from the area on Wednesday.

Tipsters should contact police at 215-685-3180.