
A tragic chain-reaction car accident in Philadelphia's Bridesburg neighborhood has left a 5-year-old boy in critical condition, according to police statements. The incident, which unfolded near Aramingo Avenue and Wakeling Street last night, involved four cars and ended with the young child suffering severe head trauma. As FOX29 reported, the chain reaction began when a vehicle operated by the injured boy's mother struck one or more cars around 9:20 p.m. That vehicle was traveling southbound on Aramingo Avenue at a speed that police believe was a contributing factor.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small detailed to NBC Philadelphia that the vehicles were stopped at a red light when one speeding vehicle initiated the crash. "It's clearly posted that the speed limit is 30 mph, but crash investigators preliminarily believe that speed was a factor," Small stated. Following the accident, the 5-year-old victim was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital and is now "in very critical condition fighting for his life right now," Small told NBC Philadelphia. No other serious injuries were reported from the incident, although a 6-year-old girl, present in one of the stopped vehicles, was notably shaken but unharmed.
While ongoing investigations are probing the full circumstances of the crash, questions regarding the use of seatbelts and the exact cause are yet to be addressed. According to 6abc, it remains unclear if the injured boy was properly restrained at the time of the accident. Witnesses to the crash and anyone with information have been urged to come forward to assist Philadelphia police in piecing together the moments leading up to the devastating event.