Girl killed in Cheltenham hit-and-run

Tanicha Workman, 17, was on her way back from the Cedarbrook mall after just buying her younger brother a video game with money she earned at a part-time job.

The high school junior was just a block from home and was crossing the 400 block of Cheltenham Avenue when she was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Her brother, 12-year-old Ryan Workman, was only a few feet away.

Thursday night, police kept up their search for the driver of a silver or gray Chevrolet or GMC work van with no windows that was last seen traveling west on Cheltenham Avenue.

Earlier in the day, at a news conference at the Cheltenham Township Administration Building, Workman's mother, Karen Garnett, pleaded with the driver to turn himself in and asked witnesses to contact police.

"Set your mind fee," Garnett said. "Come forward, and let her rest."

Tanicha was hit at about 10 p.m. Wednesday. The driver of the van was identified by a witness as a middle-aged white or Hispanic male.

The van was leaking fluid and left a trail from the site of the accident to the nearby Lynnewood Gardens apartment complex, said police, who also have surveillance video of the vehicle. The van should have extensive damage to the windshield and front end.

Police are also searching for a witness who was driving a white sedan closely behind the van.

Garnett, who immigrated to the United States 30 years ago from Guyana, South America, remembered her daughter as a "wonderful, bright and gifted" girl who loved to sing and wanted to be a lawyer.

Tanicha was a student in the Twilight Program at Cheltenham High School, which allows students to work during the day and attend school at night.

Principal Elliott Lewis said counselors would be available throughout the week for students and staff who need to talk.

"Any time you lose a student, it's so difficult," Lewis said. "Right now, we're feeling for the family."

Garnett came to the school Thursday to thank faculty and staff members who had helped her daughter, Lewis said. School officials announced the death to students in the morning.

"We're like all sad about it," said sophomore Ashley Jayakumar, 16. "Even though I didn't know her, she was a part of our community."

Tanicha had finished her shift at the Burger King in Willow Grove about 4 p.m. Wednesday, said Mamadi Kormah, the restaurant manager.

"She was never late and very friendly," Kormah said. "We hired a friend of hers, because [Tanicha] was so reliable."

After Tanicha came home, her mother drove her and her brother to the mall. The siblings took the bus back and had stopped to buy tokens on Cheltenham Avenue. They were crossing the street when Ryan - who was walking a few feet in front of Tanicha - heard a scream.

"He is taking it hard," Garnett said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Cheltenham Township Police Department Highway Safety Unit at 215-885-1600, Ext. 476, or the anonymous tip line at 215-885-1600, Ext. 777, or to visit www.Cheltenhamtownship.org, which has an anonymous crime-tip link.