Mourning for Phi Beta Sigma member after fatal accident on Kelly Drive in Philadelphia

Steven Moultrie, the 41-year-old man killed in a three-vehicle crash on Kelly Drive on Thursday, was celebrated as a dedicated servant of the Greek community and a point of contact for the underserved in Philadelphia and elsewhere.

Moultrie, a longtime member of the Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, died after his Uber driver, traveling south on Kelly Drive in a 2015 Nissan Altima, attempted to make an illegal turn on Reservoir Drive near the Strawberry Mansion Bridge shortly after 3:20 p.m. The vehicle was struck by a 2024 Nissan Rogue, causing it to spin out and strike a 2016 BMW, police said.

Police have not released any arrests or the name of the Uber driver.

According to a company spokesperson, Uber has removed the driver's access to the platform while the investigation is ongoing. “There are no words to describe this tragic loss and our thoughts are with the driver's loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time,” the spokesperson said, stressing that Uber has an international team of former police officers who will provide information to police during the investigation.

Nu Sigma President David Richardson said the loss of Moultrie is a devastating blow to the group. And his commitment to mental health education and service to the community is something he and others will greatly miss, Richardson said.

“He was such a great and amazing human being. He was such a great guy,” Richardson said of Moultrie, who was inducted into Nu Sigma in May 2015. “He was extremely helpful and a go-getter, willing to help anyone.”

In a social media post on Friday, several Instagram users left heartfelt comments in Moultrie's honor. “Prayers, love and light to all of you. Sad and stunned but thankful for his spirit that shone brightly.”

“Such a wonderful brother. May God give you all strength and comfort during this difficult time,” wrote another user.

Richardson said Moultrie used to ride the bus three to six times to support an event or service project, even venturing outside of Philadelphia to make sure he was involved in the cause. His involvement was so intense that Richardson and others had to encourage him to slow down.

In addition to participating in Blue and White fraternity events, Richardson said, Moultrie also supported programs run by other fraternities and sororities as part of the region's National Pan-Hellenic Council, nicknamed the Divine Nine.

“We told [Moultrie] like, 'Hey brother, you're doing a little too much,'” Richardson said. “He went to Delta events, Kappa events, other districts like West Chester. He even took public transportation to Maryland. He was just everywhere. But looking back, it's almost like he knew he had a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time.”

In addition to his mental health advocacy, Moultrie provided meals to homeless Philadelphians, coordinated voter education programs, and helped low-income earners file their taxes as a member of Nu Sigma.

Moultrie has held several leadership positions. The Tuskegee University graduate has served as correspondent secretary for Nu Sigma, director of community outreach, and on several committees. He has also served as director of community outreach for the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

“He lived our fraternity's motto, 'Culture for Service and Service for Humanity,'” Richardson said. “He truly lived by our principles. Service was everything to [Moultrie]. He really believed in it.”

Moultrie leaves behind his mother, Teresa Moultrie, other relatives and numerous brothers of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

The Nu Sigma group is assisting the family with his janazah, the Islamic funeral ritual, and burial. Another memorial service will be held in Moultrie's honor at a later date.

The crash that killed Moultrie was one of two accidents that occurred on Kelly Drive in less than 24 hours. At 3:45 a.m. Friday, a four-door sedan veered off Kelly Drive and plunged into the Schuylkill near the Girard Avenue Bridge. Police said the driver of the vehicle, which was pulled from the river several hours later, was still missing Saturday afternoon.

Moultrie's death was not the first time rideshare users in Philadelphia have died while on the road. In April 2023, three passengers and their driver were killed in an accident on the Schuylkill Expressway when a suspected drunk driver collided with them.

Staff writer Michelle Myers contributed to this article.