Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Accident In Northeast Philadelphia
By Oren Liebermann, Jenn Bernstein and Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia Sunday morning that left one person dead and another in critical condition.
Police were called to the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Comly Streets in Wissinoming Park around 11 a.m.
Police say 58-year-old Teresa Marquard was walking along the sidewalk with her husband when a drunk driver lost control of his minivan and hit the woman.
"They were just walking on the pavement," Captain John Wilczynski, with the Philadelphia Police Department, said. "The car went up on the pavement and, unfortunately, struck her."
The green Pontiac minivan finally stopped on the sidewalk of Wissinoming Park. It's front end was crushed and the drivers side door was bent. Police blocked off the street during the investigation.
Police say the driver of the SUV was drunk behind the wheel. They say he was traveling south on Frankford Avenue when he swerved into the northbound lanes, then onto the sidewalk. The car then struck the victim, who was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital with head trauma. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
"She gets killed from the crash and her husband who was with her, fortunately, he didn't get hurt, but, unfortunately, he was to witness that drama," Wilczynski said.
Neighbors say Teresa was often out on Gillespie Street, cleaning the road and the sidewalk with her husband. They say her and her husband were friendly and quiet.
"It's a sad thing for her whole family," neighbor Janet Zarisky said. "Always cleaning up her area, both sides of the street, minding their business. They didn't really talk to anybody or bother anybody. They kept to themselves but they were always outside cleaning up."
Police say the driver of the minivan was also taken to Hahnemann University Hospital where he is in critical condition. They say the driver will likely be charged with DUI and more Monday morning.
