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Man in wheelchair struck by hit-and-run driver: police

By , and FOX 29 staff
Published  June 21, 2024 6:15am EDT
Crime & Public Safety
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Man in wheelchair struck by vehicle critically injured

A man in a wheelchair was hit and critically injured by a vehicle that kept going in Center City. Police are searching for the driver.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are searching for a driver who they say hit a man in a wheelchair and did not stop.

The hit-and-run crash happened near the intersection of Franklin and Vine around midnight.

The victim, believed to be in his 50s, was taken to the hospital where he is in critical condition.

Witnesses told police the man may have been panhandling at the heavily trafficked intersection when he was struck. 

Man in wheelchair struck by hit-and-run driver: police

Police are searching for a driver who they say hit a man in a wheelchair and did not stop.

Chief Inspector Scott Small said police believe the vehicle that struck the man may be a white Hyundai sedan with New Jersey plates. A witness was said to have captured the incident on a dash camera. Chief Inspector Small said, "We can clearly see that vehicle traveling the westbound direction, strike this male in the wheelchair, sending him about 50 feet."

Jameen Wilford knows the victim. "I see nothing but panhandlers on the street and I know that its very dangerous. This is like a highway. It’s already bad being in a wheelchair on the highway. But, like I mean, it's very sad to hear that. I don’t know why they kept going, they should've stopped."