Woman arrested in hit-and-run that killed beloved Philadelphia barber
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A special education assistant at Frankford High School has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a beloved barber in Philadelphia last week, according to police.
Sharon Seawood, 42, was charged Monday with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, accident involving death and other offenses, police said.
The School District of Philadelphia said Seawood has been a special education assistant at Frankford High School since September 2023, and she didn't report to work last week after the crash. Seawood has been placed on leave, the district spokesperson said.
The hit-and-run happened just after 11 p.m. on March 27 on the 7900 block of Ogontz Avenue in West Oak Lane.
Police and paramedics responded to a hit-and-run call and found 47-year-old Toby Bryant lying unresponsive in the middle of the street with severe head trauma. He was pronounced dead minutes later, police said.
Investigators said Bryant was crossing the street against the light last week and not in the crosswalk at the time of the collision.
Bryant's brother told CBS Philadelphia he was walking home after getting dinner when he was fatally struck.
.@PhillyPolice say 42yo Sharon Seawood was arrested in connection to the hit-and-run last week that killed Toby Bryant, a beloved barber in West Oak Lane.@PHLschools confirms Seawood is a special education asst at Frankford HS.
— Ryan Hughes (@HughesCBS3) March 6, 2024
Bryant’s funeral was today. @CBSPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/PzJMLzLrh3
According to a witness, the driver kept driving about 100-200 feet after hitting Bryant, stopped, got out of their car, looked back at the victim and then got back in the car and left the scene.
Bryant was a father of four and a barber at Golden Comb, located two blocks from the hit-and-run.
A viewing and funeral were held Wednesday, and Bryant's family said the arrest brings a sense of relief.
"Right after the burial, we received the news that the person was found, so to me that was a blessing," Bryant's younger brother said.
A bouquet of flowers sat on the counter inside Golden Comb. Last Wednesday, the barbershop draped a black barber's cape over Bryant's chair. He worked at the barbershop for at least 15 years.
"I hope no other family goes through the pain that we went through because I wouldn't wish that on nobody," Bryant's nephew said.