A 59-year-old man riding a motorcycle was killed Friday evening after a violent collision with a car that was making a U-turn at Frankford Avenue and Benner Street in Northeast Philadelphia, according to police. The crash happened around 5:50 p.m., and paramedics pronounced the rider dead at the scene.
How the crash unfolded
Police said a gray Subaru Forester heading south on Frankford Avenue attempted a U-turn and was struck by a Suzuki motorcycle traveling north, as reported by FOX 29 Philadelphia. The Subaru driver stayed at the scene and was not hurt. The Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Unit is handling the case, and no charges had been filed as of the initial reports.
At the scene
FOX 29 Philadelphia reported that a Philadelphia Fire Department medic unit confirmed the rider had died. Officers shut down the intersection, roped off the area and began collecting evidence. Detectives are expected to review witness statements and check nearby surveillance cameras as part of their investigation.
Local context
The fatal crash adds to a troubling pattern of deadly motorcycle wrecks on or near Frankford Avenue. In March, a vehicle that detached from a tow truck struck and killed a motorcyclist in the same general area, a case that highlighted long-running safety worries along the corridor, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Residents and traffic safety advocates have repeatedly pointed to high-speed sections of Frankford Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard as hotspots for serious and often deadly crashes.
What to expect next
Police have not yet publicly identified either the motorcyclist or the Subaru driver. Investigators are asking anyone who may have video or additional information about the crash to contact detectives, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. The Crash Investigation Unit will complete a report that will help determine whether any charges are warranted.
