October 04, 2016
Source/Philadelphia Police Department
Philadelphia police are searching for the driver of a silver or gray vehicle – likely a Ford Focus or Ford Fusion similar to the one pictured above – involved in the hit-and-run of a school crossing guard at Devereaux and Sommerdale avenues in the Oxford Circle section of Northeast Philadelphia. Inset, a piece of the striking car left at the scene.
Philadelphia police are seeking help identifying a driver accused of intentionally hitting a crossing guard at an intersection in the city's Oxford Circle neighborhood.
According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at about 8:12 a.m., when a 56-year-old woman who was working as a crossing guard at Devereaux and Summerdale avenues was reportedly struck by a driver after she yelled at the vehicle.
The crossing guard told law enforcement officials that while she stopped traffic to help a child cross the street, a silver or gray vehicle — likely a Ford Focus or Ford Fusion — operated by a black male made a left turn from Devereaux onto Summerdale Avenue, almost hitting the child, police allege.
At that time, the crossing guard said she yelled at the driver as he passed her. Police allege the driver stopped his vehicle and placed it in reverse before running over the median to intentionally strike the crossing guard as she stood in the road.
According to police, after the driver allegedly knocked the crossing guard to the ground, he shifted into drive and sped away southbound on Summerdale Avenue, then turned westbound on Van Kirk Street, where police allege his vehicle struck a parked, red vehicle.
According to police, the crossing guard sustained injuries to her right forearm, hand, left knee and a possible fracture to her left shoulder. She was taken to Aria-Torresdale, where she was listed in stable condition.
Police are hoping to identify the driver in this incident. Law enforcement officials said he is believed to be a black male with a light complexion, about 20 to 30 years old, and was wearing a white or gray baseball hat at the time of the incident.
Also, law enforcement officials said the driver was believed to have been driving an older model silver or gray Ford Fusion or Ford Focus with front-end damage, and the vehicle will have red transfer paint on the front bumper and will also be missing a small piece of the front bumper, which was recovered on Van Kirk Street.
Anyone with information is urged to call Philadelphia police at (215) 686-8477 or text a tip to 773847.
Also, tips can be sent anonymously to police here.
