An overnight crash that killed a woman walking on the Schuylkill Expressway briefly choked off Center City traffic before lanes were cleared and flow returned to normal, city police said. The deadly collision triggered a lane restriction on I-76 in the early-morning dark and slowed drivers rolling into the morning commute. According to investigators, the driver involved stayed at the scene and is cooperating with detectives.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the crash happened at about 1:30 a.m. on I-76 eastbound between the exits for Market Street and Haverford Avenue/Spring Garden Street. NBC10's live camera footage showed traffic squeezed into a single lane while crews worked the scene. The station reports that the lane restriction was lifted around 6:30 a.m., which allowed traffic to start moving normally again.
Traffic alert matched by 511PA
511PA Philadelphia issued an alert describing a multi-vehicle crash on I-76 eastbound between Exit 343 (Spring Garden/Haverford) and Exit 345 (30th St/Market St) and warned of a lane restriction. The traffic-service update lined up with what NBC10's cameras captured as crews cleared the scene. Commuters reported delays on surface streets as traffic backed up around Center City interchanges.
Schuylkill corridor's history of disruptive crashes
Crashes that close or constrict the Schuylkill Expressway are a familiar headache for regulars on the corridor. Earlier this spring, a deadly overnight wreck near Montgomery Drive also snarled traffic and kept lanes closed for hours. The expressway's tight ramps, heavy commuter volume and limited shoulders can slow down investigations and cleanup work, which in turn amplifies delays when something goes wrong.
Police response
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told NBC10 Philadelphia that "a woman had been struck while walking on the roadway," and said the driver "stayed at the scene and was working with investigators." Small did not release the victim's identity, and the department says the investigation remains active and will be updated as more information is confirmed.
Anyone with dash-cam video or other information about the crash is asked to contact Philadelphia Police collision investigators. NBC10 Philadelphia reports it is working to learn more and will update its coverage as additional details emerge.
