Police: Drunk Driver Kills Woman In Wheelchair, Injures Another In North Philly Hit-Run
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A North Philadelphia community is mourning a homeless veteran, who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver early Saturday morning.
Friends tell CBS3 the woman, known as Elaine, had been homeless for years and was just days away from getting off of the streets and into a home, when her life was tragically cut short.
"My heart is broken, you know even though she is a homeless lady. It hurts," said Marilyn Pizarro of Fairhill.
Elaine, 36, was a fixture in Fairhill for years, often setting up her wheelchair in the median of Lehigh Avenue at Mascher St.
"Just yesterday I said, 'No one tells you this, I love you,'" said Jada Gales, a close friend of Elaine's. "And her words were, 'Bye, girl. I'll see you later.'"
Around 1:40 a.m. Saturday, police say a 29-year old man from Glenolden, struck and killed Elaine, as she sat in her wheelchair in the median of the roadway. Investigators say the driver then hit an 18-year-old girl and ran a red light before officers caught up to him near B and Lehigh.
"Don't leave. Whatever happens it comes later, but you stop," said Carmen Torres, who lives near the accident scene. "It's a person, it's a life, it's not no animal, even not even an animal you should do that."
Even though Elaine didn't have much herself, her friends said the Air Force veteran and amputee gave to others who had even less.
"She's real nice. She sees you and she's got an extra cup of coffee, she got you," said Richard Muniz, a homeless friend of Elaine's.
Many people in the area returned that generosity.
"I always see her by herself, I always give her food, I always give her money," Torres said. "I don't care who she was."
Now, those same people are leaving her gifts at a memorial that they wish wasn't there.
"These are just little things that people show their appreciation for who she was," Muniz said.
The driver is expected to be charged with homicide by vehicle, among other offenses.
The second pedestrian who was hit is out of the hospital and doing well.
