Philadelphia Stage Vet Michael Toner Loses Leg in Hit and Run

Local stage veteran and writer Michael Toner, 68, was struck by a vehicle on Market Street in Philadelphia early this morning. Due to the severity of Toner's injuries, doctors have had to amputate his right leg.

According to WPVI-TV, the hit-and-run happened around 1 a.m. June 9, when Toner was crossing the street in the rain.

Police are on the hunt for the perpetrator, but evidence is scarce, with no witnesses and no surveillance videos at this time.

"There's no physical evidence left behind, no parts of the car were left behind," Police Captain John Wilczynski said.

A Vietnam veteran and local actor, Toner Toner just finished a run in a production with Amaryllis Theater Company and was set to start rehearsals for another show at Walnut Street Theatre.

Also a director, playwright and acting teacher, as well as a graduate of LaSalle University and Dublin's University College, Toner has appeared in productions with Philadelphia's Venture Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, American Shaw Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, New York's Dedalus Theatre, and in numerous productions at the Walnut Street, the Painted Bride Arts Center, the Arden Theatre and New York's ATA Theatre. He has taken his one-man dramatization of Brian Friel's works, THE HUMOURS OF BALLYBEG, to St. Joseph's University in Belfast, Maine, and Rowan University.

Photo: Church Street Studios