Truck Driver Charged In 2017 Center City Cyclist Death

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner Wednesday said the man who was driving a truck that struck and killed a cyclist in Center City Philadelphia in 2017 has been charged.

Krasner announced Jorge Fretts, 28, of Philadelphia, is facing homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment of another person in connection with the death of 24-year-old Emily Fredericks of East Brunswick, New Jersey.

After charges were filed, he turned himself in to police Tuesday and was released on $100,000 unsecured bail, court records show.

Fretts was driving a garbage truck for New Jersey-based Gold Medal Environmental during the incident.

At about 7:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, Fredericks was riding near 11th and Spruce streets when the garbage truck struck her.

Both she and the truck were traveling west on Spruce Street when the truck turned right onto South 11th Street, striking Fredericks, police said.

Fredericks taken to Jefferson Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:50 a.m., police said.

According to CBS Philadelphia, Gold Medal Environmental settled with Fredricks' family for more than $6 million.

Fretts is slated for a preliminary hearing on March 13, according to court records.