Grandmother struck, killed walking grandkids to school in Southwest Philadelphia: police

PHILADELPHIA - A typical Monday morning ended in tragedy when Philadelphia police say an accident claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman.

The driver of a Saturn SUV, a 30-year-old woman, was trying to back down the 6600 block of Regent Street, a one-way street, when she lost control.

The vehicle went into a tailspin, hitting a pedestrian standing on the sidewalk.

Police tell FOX 29's Kelly Rule that the pedestrian was a grandmother, who was walking her grandchildren to school that morning.

MORE HEADLINES:

• Gun fired during attempted morning carjacking in Port Richmond
• Man critical after hit-and-run leaves 7 parked cars struck, 4 suspects sought: police
• 2 people arrested after 200 minks released from Pennsylvania farm

She suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at 7:40 a.m.

FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson spoke with witnesses.

"Initially I heard the car get into some type of accident," said Andre Wiley. He was looking out his window but did not know how bad it was.

"It wasn't until I heard the car continue to screech and that's when I came out," he said. 

Wiley says as the driver backed away he saw a woman deceased against the pole. 

He says the driver then hit the gate around Catherine Joseph School.

"Complete shock," said Wiley describing the driver who he says got of the vehicle screaming. "She just kept screaming oh my God, oh my God, oh my God I'm not going to be here for my babies. Oh my God, oh my God I did not see her," he recalled.

"It was just a real bad freak accident," said a witness who does not want to be identified. She says she had just dropped off her child  at the school when it happened and that she sees the victim every day also walking to drop off a child.

"We walked past her, within minutes I turn around and see a car, I hear a whole screech and hear a whole boom," she said. The witness says she also sees the driver each morning.

"She didn’t even know that she hit someone until she got out her car and she asked did she hit someone. I just feel sad for both parties because I always see them dropping off and picking up and it is just really sad," she said.

The Crash Investigation Division is handling the case.

Investigators have not said what caused the accident or if any charges will be filed.

The 30-year-old woman did not report any injuries.

The Saturn was also towed by police for a safety check.