Philly Man Charged In Fatal Elkins Park Crash

ELKINS PARK, PA —A Philadelphia man has been charged with killing a woman in an Elkins Park crash last November, authorities said.

The Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Slavin Wednesday announced the arrest of Shaikan Pitts, 38, of the 1400 block of Shelmire Street in Philadelphia, for Homicide by Vehicle–DUI and other charges related to the Nov. 25, 2023, crash in Elkins Park that killed 33-year-old Laishah “Nala” Holloman.

The fatal crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Cheltenham Township Police arrived at the two-vehicle crash at Old York Road and Spring Avenue to find Holloman trapped under her white Ford van.

The on-scene crash investigation found that the van had been pulling out of a private driveway when it was struck by a silver Nissan Rogue driven by the defendant.

The Rogue struck the driver’s side door with such force that it caused the van to go into a spin and then overturn.

Holloman was pronounced dead at the scene by Cheltenham Township EMS.

A crash investigation by Cheltenham Township Police, with assistance from the Eastern
Montgomery Regional Crash Team, found that Pitts was driving northbound on Old York Road,
which has a posted speed limit of 40 mph.

Physical evidence and analysis found that Pitts was driving at 69 mph at the time of the crash and took no evasive action or braking before the crash.

Toxicology testing on Pitts’ blood found that his blood alcohol level was .135 percent, which is
above the legal limit, and also found the presence of cannabinoids. Further, the investigation
found that Pitts has never held a valid driver’s license.

Pitts was arrested on Tuesday and charged with Homicide by Vehicle–DUI, Driving Under the Influence, Accidents involving Death or Personal Injury While Not Properly Licensed, Reckless Driving, Driving Without a License, and related charges.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James P. Gallagher, who set bail at $90,000 cash.

A bail review hearing was held on Wednesday before Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Wendy Rothstein,
who declined to change the bail amount. Pitts was unable to post bail and was remanded to the
Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., April 8, before Magisterial District Judge Emmett Madden.