SCRANTON -- Police in Scranton made an arrest Monday after a deadly hit and run.
The victim was riding a bike on the city's west side when he was killed.
Scranton police say Thomas Gill, 57, of Scranton was behind the wheel Sunday morning when he hit and killed a man on a bicycle and took off.
Gill was arrested at his apartment Monday afternoon and charged in connection with a deadly hit and run Sunday. He is charged with homicide by vehicle aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter.
Police say Gill drove an SUV across the double yellow lines on South Main Avenue in Scranton around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, jumped the curb and hit and killed Michael Harmer, a father who was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk.
Investigators say Gill drove off.
“Certainly, from the circumstances we discovered from this tragic death, this individual certainly should not be behind the wheel. There's an indication he's a habitual drug user, an alcohol user,” said Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano.
Cops say they tracked Gill down using video surveillance and talking with witnesses.
Investigators said Gill admitted to snorting heroin and cocaine and smoking marijuana before getting behind the wheel, saying, "I killed someone because I was so f***** up."
"I took a life. I shouldn't have been driving. I shouldn't have been behind the wheel."
Gill told investigators he was sorry. He wishes he had used a cab.
"I would love to say that it makes me feel better, but that's like trying to fix a broken plate. It never goes back together perfectly. They can catch him, but it will never bring back my brother,” said Merrica Keller, Michael Harmer’s sister.
Shortly after Gill's arrest, people gathered where Harmer was hit, celebrating his life and mourning his loss.
"Great father, great friend, give the shirt off his back to anybody. He was a jokester, just the light of the room. Honestly, he was one of my best friends,” said Tara Banks, Harmer’s cousin.
Condolences and farewells poured into Harmer's Facebook page. One read, "This is so sad - praying for your family." Another simply said, "Rest in peace."
