PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A driver and their dog were killed and three other people were injured in a multi-car crash in West Philadelphia early Friday morning.
It happened around 4 a.m. at 48th and Walnut streets. Police said the driver of a Dodge Durango was speeding west on Walnut Street, ran a red light, and slammed into a Chevy Malibu that was going north on 48th Street.
At a Friday afternoon press conference, Capt. Stephen Clark of the Crash Investigation Division said the driver of the Malibu had the right of way.
"They had the green signal, and it looks to us that the striking vehicle disregarded a steady red," Clark said. The impact caused the Malibu to slam into four parked cars. Shattered glass and debris littered the intersection.
A man and dog inside the Malibu died.
Three men in the Durango, ages 25, 23 and 22, suffered minor injuries.
One of the parked cars that was hit belongs to Avery Kirk. He heard a loud “boom” and walked outside to find a car on his front steps.
“That’s a far distance from where it was hit and where the car ended up,” he said.
“I was laying there and I thought I heard thundering,” neighbor Cynthia Smith added of the loud crash. “I wasn’t sure. Checked to see if it was raining and it wasn’t.”
No charges have been filed, but Clark said one thing is clear.
"Speed is definitely a factor. The onus is on the operator of the vehicle. So, we see this a lot in Philadelphia."
So much so that he said police were already in that area investigating reports of cars racing. He said the Crash Investigation Division would be trying to determine how fast the Durango was going and whether the driver was impaired.
"If we do find violations, as I said, in this case, we'll follow the evidence. And where that goes, we're going to refer charges."
Speeding SUV ran red light and hit sedan that slammed into 4 parked cars, police say
Speeding SUV ran red light and hit sedan that slammed into 4 parked cars, police say
