Man Faces Prison Time In Fatal Hit-And-Run Of Lower Bucks Co. Skateboarder

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA — A Philadelphia man faces several years in state prison and probation after being sentenced Wednesday for a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Bristol Township skateboarder two years ago, authorities said.

Tajair Anthony Delbridge, 26, was sentenced by Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller to 3-6 years in state prison, followed by 7 years of probation, after pleading guilty to accidents involving death or personal injury, hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal solicitation to commit false reports.

Joel Moreau was lovingly remembered by his family and friends as a tender and generous soul, a life senselessly cut short during the emotional sentencing hearing in which the mother and sister of the 28-year-old victim delivered impact statements detailing their loss.

Moreau's mother painfully recounted the agonizing struggle to comprehend how someone could strike a person and heartlessly leave them to die on the road.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bukowski also shared impact statements from other family members and friends, including a heartbreaking message from Moreau's father, who expressed his grief, declaring, "my heart is broken and will never be unbroken."

The fatal incident occurred around 10:16 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2023, when Moreau, of Bristol Township, was struck and killed while riding his skateboard on the 1500 block of Haines Road.

An investigation found that Delbridge was driving the vehicle, then fled the scene, involved in the fatal crash. After striking Moreau, Delbridge fled the scene, abandoned the vehicle, and attempted to have it reported stolen.

Bristol Township Police found Moreau dead in the northbound lane.

A witness reported seeing a newer model red Kia traveling behind Moreau before hearing a loud bang. The witness then observed Moreau unresponsive on the road and the red Kia fleeing the scene with extensive front-end damage.

The vehicle was later identified as a 2022 red Kia K5 and was found abandoned a few miles away. Damage to the vehicle was consistent with a pedestrian strike.

Police also detected the smell of marijuana inside the car and located marijuana-related paraphernalia.

Authorities contacted the vehicle's owner, who stated it had been rented to Delbridge through a private rental business. About 30 minutes after the crash, Delbridge contacted the business owner and instructed her to report the car stolen.

Surveillance footage recovered from a nearby business showed the red Kia pulling into a lot, with the driver and a female passenger exiting the vehicle before re-entering and driving away. Police identified the female passenger, confirming Delbridge was the operator of the vehicle on the night of the crash, authorities said.