An AutoZone employee, stricken by tragedy following a multi-car hit-and-run crash in Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood, has succumbed to his injuries. Kevin Taylor of Southwest Philadelphia, was critically injured in the collision on the morning of October 20 and was pronounced dead on October 24, according to a CBS Philadelphia report.
The incident unfolded when a Dodge Ram, said to be driven by a group of teenagers, raced through a red light at the intersection of Richmond and East Venango streets, violently colliding with Taylor's Chevrolet truck. The force of the impact pushed both vehicles into several parked cars. It is believed that the perpetrators fled the scene in a white SUV that had been trailing them, this fact was corroborated by video evidence as noted by 6abc.com. The abrupt nature of the event shook the community, leaving resident Eric Flemming to recount the overwhelming noise that brought him to the chaos, "It sounded like a bomb went off. Came downstairs, saw the aftermath," Flemming told NBC Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police have since been on the lookout for the four individuals linked to the crime, with videos capturing them donning dark clothes and ski masks. In a valiant effort to aid the investigation, Flemming shouted the license plate number of the getaway SUV, an account that was picked up by the cameras and has been circulated in hopes of catching those responsible. A detail, that could be critical for the police's ongoing investigation, is the possibility that the offending Dodge Ram was stolen.
Kevin Taylor, 40 years old, had been employed by AutoZone at the 3337 Aramingo Avenue location within the hub department, responsible for the distribution of car parts between stores, at the time of his untimely death, he was performing this very role. The extended aftermath of the collision left mounds of metal and debris scattered nearly a half block down the street, a visual representation of the swift and abrupt end to a life, according to employees who spoke with NBC Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police have urged anyone with information about the crash or the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the Police Crash Investigation Division or submit an anonymous tip, ensuring the community’s involvement in the quest for justice.
