A man in his 50s is fighting for his life following a hit-and-run incident at the intersection of Franklin and Vine. The victim, who was in a wheelchair at the time of the accident, was struck near midnight and is currently in critical condition, as reported by FOX 29 News. Witnesses believe the man was panhandling in this heavily trafficked area when the collision occurred.

According to NBC Philadelphia, the victim suffered head trauma and was found unresponsive by the officers and medics on the scene. He was transported to a hospital, where he underwent surgery. Chief Inspector Scott Small provided an account of the event, indicating that the vehicle in question was heading westbound from Ben Franklin Bridge before making a turn onto 7th Street after the hit.

Adding to the investigation, Small confirmed that dashcam footage from another driver had "clearly" captured the hit-and-run incident. The Philadelphia Police are on the lookout for a white sedan, likely a Hyundai, with New Jersey license plates and noticeable front-end damage. This description emerged from the ongoing inquiries, as mentioned in a 6ABC report.

The intersection is known to be frequented by panhandlers, and locals express concern over their safety. Motorist James Williams told 6ABC, "You've got drivers who aren't necessarily looking, especially when it's late at night." The incident has intensified discussions about the dangers faced by panhandlers and pedestrians in high-traffic areas. The search for the driver responsible for the hit-and-run continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the case.