PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Investigators are searching for the drivers of two cars who struck and killed a man in Hunting Park — and left him for dead.
The 48-year-old man was crossing 5th Street near Wyoming Avenue on February 27 — just minutes before midnight — when, according to Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Overwise, he was hit by two cars.
"First vehicle was traveling southbound struck and knocked him down and then he was run over by a northbound vehicle," said Overwise.
Both cars left the scene.
Overwise said the first vehicle was a red 2009-2015 Toyota Benza SUV, possibly with a panoramic moonroof, "and the second vehicle was a 2005-2011 Honda Civic, silver or gray in color with a moonroof, and that was a two-door coupe."
The Civic might also have some damage.
"They know they hit something. The impact was significant enough that they know they hit something," said Overwise.
"The first vehicle had to know they hit the gentleman because they hit him hard enough to knock him down. The second vehicle ran over the gentlemen and the car elevates about 10 inches when they do that, and neither one of them stopped."
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A woman from the neighborhood heard the crash, and ran out to protect the victim from being hit again — waiting until police arrived.
"She came out immediately and she stood there, and she almost got hit herself," said Overwise.
There have been five hit-and-run crashes so far this year in Philadelphia, most recently claiming the life of 60-year-old Roberto Velez on Wednesday.
If you know anything about this one, or notice vehicles matching the descriptions above, Philadelphia police urge you to call them.
Overwise stressed that drivers who accidentally hit pedestrians can avoid serious criminal charges by remaining at the scene and calling 911.
"The thing we don't believe is that they hit them intentionally — so what is the reason to leave? I don't know the answer to that."