Car wanted in deadly West Philadelphia hit-and-run found miles from scene: police
PHILADELPHIA - Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle they say fatally struck a woman in West Philadelphia Tuesday night.
Just before 8;30 p.m., police responded to the intersection of 49th Street and Lancaster Avenue for reports of an auto accident involving a pedestrian.
Responding officers located a 58-year-old woman who had been struck by a vehicle and was unresponsive.
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Medics pronounced the woman, identified as Darlene Gaston, dead on scene at 8:28 p.m.
Authorities describe the vehicle as a white Mitsubishi Outlander. Authorities say the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed through the intersection when it made contact with the victim. After striking the victim, police say the driver fled.
Chief Inspector Scott Small says the Mitsubishi hit the woman so hard that it launched her body into a different lane, where she was struck by Nissan.
The driver of the Nissan remained on scene to speak with police, authorities say.
The Mitsubishi was later found unattended on the 2000 block of Belmont Avenue, police say.
A witness was taken to the location and positively identified the car as the one that hit the woman, officials say.
Investigators say they will work to identify who was driving the vehicle, which is now being processed as evidence.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the driver is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.