PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver of a minivan who fled the scene after a child was injured in North Philadelphia over the weekend.
Just before 5:30 p.m. in Franklinville on Saturday, a 6-year-old boy was crossing Erie Avenue near Sixth Street with his 10-year-old sister. Video surveillance shows the boy running into the busy street and into the side of a passing minivan.
In the video, it appears the impact of the van hurled the boy several feet in front of it.
The driver stopped, got out of the car to check on the child, then got back in and took off.
The boy is recovering at home with severe bruises on his face and body.
“He got out and checked on the boy, and I don’t know what’s in his mind,” said Capt. Mark Overwise. “I want to give the person the benefit of the doubt — the benefit of the doubt is not gonna last very long. We need to talk to this person. We need to figure out what they have to say.”
The minivan is described as an older model, light in color and has a temporary New Jersey paper tag, 005218T.
If you spot the van, police ask that you call 911 or make an anonymous call at 215 686-TIPS.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that the hit-and-run happened on Saturday, not Sunday, as first reported by police.