Teen bicyclists hurt, one critically, after hit-and-run crash in Spring Garden
Philadelphia Police say drunk driving is suspected after a hit-and-run crash that left two teenage boys hospitalized and a driver in custody. (WPVI)
By Katherine Scott
Updated 26 mins ago
SPRING GARDEN (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Police say drunk driving is suspected after a hit-and-run crash that left two teenage bicyclists hospitalized and a driver in custody.
It happened before 2 a.m. Friday on North Broad Street near Wallace Street in Spring Garden.
June 17, 2016: Police say two boys, both 16 years old, were riding on the same bicycle when they were struck by a red sports car in the 600 block of North Broad St.
Police tell Action News five or six boys were riding their bicycles southbound in the northbound lanes in the 600 block of North Broad Street.
Two of the boys, both 16 years old, were riding on the same bicycle when they were struck by a red sports car.
Witnesses say the vehicle was speeding, and after it hit the teens it fled.
The impact was so severe, the front tire of the bike was ripped off and thrown about 50 feet from the point of impact.
One of the teens suffered severe head trauma. He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital in critical condition.
The other teen suffered a broken leg. He was said to be stable, also at Hahnemann.
Minutes later, police located both the car and driver nearby, at Ridge Avenue and Wallace Street. The car had significant front-end damage.
"The driver, who is 34 years of age, was with the vehicle," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "He appeared to be intoxicated."
The suspect was taken to Police Headquarters where he was being evaluated. A 25-year-old passenger in the car was also taken in to be interviewed as a witness.
North Broad Street was shut down at the scene for several hours as police investigated.