Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, Whitmarsh Township Police Chief Christopher Ward, and Springfield Township Police Chief Michael E. Pitkow that 18-year-old Shakim Elias Mendez of Flourtown was arrested following an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run in Flourtown (Whitemarsh Township) on November 8, 2024. An arrest warrant was issued on December 2nd, and the U.S. Marshalls arrested him without incident on February 20th in Wilmington, Delaware.

Mendez was charged with Homicide by Vehicle and other charges related to the crash that killed 35-year-old Artemio De La Rosa Martinez of Norristown.

The November 8th crash occurred near 6011 West Valley Green Road at approximately 3:20 p.m. Whitemarsh Township Police responded to a 911 call for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian and vehicle. Police arrived to find Martinez deceased, “lying on the edge of the northbound travel lane of West Valley Green Road.” Mendez abandoned the vehicle he was driving and fled on foot. Police identified Mendez due to items he had left behind in the vehicle.

An investigation into the crash by Whitemarsh Township Police, Springfield Township Police, and Montgomery County Detectives “found that Mendez was driving the Malibu southbound on West Valley Green Road. He was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving in a reckless manner when his vehicle struck Martinez, who was doing landscaping work with his brother along the roadway.” It was determined that the vehicle struck Martinez with such force that he was thrown 168 feet.

Data from the vehicle showed that Mendez was driving approximately 70 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone. The vehicle was also shown to have an obstructed view due to a black disk mounted on the windshield and how Mendez had positioned his seat.

Mendez was arrested approximately two hours after the crash in Philadelphia after he had fled the scene with the assistance of his brother. Mendez was charged by Philadelphia police with Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Police. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

On December 2nd, following the investigation into the crash, an arrest warrant was issued for Mendez for the charges of Homicide by Vehicle, Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, Fraudulent Title Registration, Failure to Stop and Render Aid, Reckless Driving, Obstructed Window, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities and other charges.

Montgomery County is currently working to extradite Mendez from Delaware. Once in custody in Montgomery County, he will be arraigned, and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.