A 33-year-old woman was left fighting for her life Wednesday night after a car struck her while she was crossing Broad Street near Wingohocking Street in North Philadelphia, police said. Investigators say the driver, described as a man, briefly got out of a silver Cadillac, then climbed back in and sped off, leaving the woman in the roadway. First responders rushed her to a nearby hospital, where officials listed her in critical condition.
What police say
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the crash happened at about 8:57 p.m. Wednesday at Broad and Wingohocking. NBC10 reports the vehicle was headed eastbound on Broad when the driver stopped briefly, stepped out of the car for a moment, then got back behind the wheel and fled the scene.
Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Division are asking anyone who saw the collision, or who may have video or information, to contact them at 215-685-3180. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the department's online tip page.
Pedestrian safety in Philly
Pedestrians and cyclists continue to shoulder a heavy share of the region's traffic violence. Traffic deaths in Philadelphia climbed to 123 in 2023, with people on foot and on bikes among the hardest hit, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Advocates say busy corridors like Broad Street need safer crossings, more concrete protections and steadier speed enforcement to reduce serious crashes.
City officials have announced funding and pilot programs aimed at safety upgrades, but advocates argue that these steps are only a start and that broader, long-term changes are still needed.
Legal note
Under state law, any driver involved in a crash that causes personal injury must stop, provide aid when possible and exchange information. Leaving the scene of an injury crash can bring criminal charges and a license suspension under the Pennsylvania vehicle code.
As of the latest update, police had not announced any arrests in the case, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
