Police: Driver That Struck 4-Year-Old Boy Not Expected To Face Charges
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia Police say a driver accused of hitting a 4-year-old boy in North Philadelphia on Tuesday night turned herself in to police right after the crash. Investigators working on the case say she is not expected to face charges.
The boy was hit just before 9:30 p.m. on the 2600 block of N. 16th Street. His mother rushed him to Temple University Hospital. Paramedics then transported him to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video.
A medical team is monitoring the boy for more serious injuries, but for now it appears he suffered scrapes and bruises, according to police.
Police say the surveillance video shows the 4-year-old was on the sidewalk dribbling a basketball. The basketball rolls into the street and the little boy runs after it and is struck by a dark-colored Honda sedan.
The car drags the boy for 20 feet before the female driver stops, gets out of the car briefly and then gets back in, pulls over to the curb, but then suddenly accelerates and drives off.
Investigators with the Accident Investigation Division say the driver turned the corner and contacted a family member. She then drove herself to the nearest police district and turned herself in.
"We don't know if this woman just panicked or what her motivation was," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Those same investigators say the woman is not expected to face charges.
Eyewitness News is told the mother of the young boy even admitted there was nothing the driver could do to avoid the accident.
The boy was eventually transported to St. Christopher's Hopsital, and is expected to be OK.
The accident comes just days after 5-year-old Xavier Moy was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Police have named a person of interest in the case, but no arrests have been made.
