Homeless veteran dies in hit-and-run, another pedestrian injured

FAIRHILL (WTXF) - One person is dead and another has been injured after they were struck by a vehicle in Fairhill overnight.

According to Philadelphia Police, the incident occurred at Mascher Street and Lehigh Avenue at 1:40 a.m.

A 2004 Ford F-250 white pick-up truck was traveling eastbound on Lehigh when it struck a pedestrian who was in a wheelchair in the center median of the roadway at Mascher Street.

The driver then sped away, striking another pedestrian and fleeing the scene. They then disregarded the steady red light at B Street and Lehigh.

Police observed the action, turning on their overhead lights and stopped the driver for investigation.

A short time later, another officer arrived stating that the vehicle was involved in a crash that happened at Mascher Street and Lehigh Avenue.

The driver of the vehicle, a 29-year-old male from Glenolden, was taken into custody for DUI.

The second pedestrian struck, an 18-year-old from Philadelphia, was able to positively identify the vehicle at the scene as the one that struck her and the 37-year-old woman in the wheelchair.

The 37-year-old, a homeless veteran, was taken to Temple Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced at 2:11 a.m. The 18-year-old was also taken to Temple and treated for minor injuries.

Charges of homicide by vehicle and related offenses are pending further investigation.