Woman in wheelchair dies after hit-and-run on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd
A 61-year-old woman in a wheelchair was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, early Monday morning.
Lower Merion Police are searching for the driver of a dark-colored Toyota Camry they say hit the woman and then took off.
The deadly hit-and-run happened at City Avenue and Conshohocken State Road around 2 a.m. Monday.
The crash closed part of the roadway. City Avenue was closed between Conshohocken State and Golf roads for a police investigation. The road reopened around 7:40 a.m.
@CBSPhiladelphia has confirmed this is a fatal hit-and-run #trafficcrash on City Ave. near Conshohocken St. Rd. Alternates: Montgomery Ave., St. Asaph’s Rd., and Wynnfield Ave. #traffic https://t.co/zQic8cbzzF
— Kim Kelly Hudson (@kimhudsontv) November 11, 2024
Detective Michael Keenan said the driver was in a dark-colored four-door Toyota Camry with tinted windows and possible Pennsylvania tags. Keenan said the car will have damage to the passenger's side.
According to Keenan, the driver pulled into a parking lot and inspected his car.
"This is a person who knew what they did," Keenan said.
The driver was wearing all black and a black sweatshirt with "Just Do It" on the front.
"That's what makes it so sad," Brian Chambers, who does maintenance for an apartment complex nearby, said. "You hit a person in a wheelchair and just keep going? Sad."
Keenan said the victim was 61 years old and unhoused. Investigators are not identifying the victim at this time.
People in the area say speeding is a problem on City Avenue.
"I work here. So I see this traffic flying," Chambers said, adding he doesn't believe the road is safe. "Like that car just went by? Speed racing lane, that's what it is."
Chambers hopes the driver surrenders.
"Driver should turn himself in," Chambers said. "When he hit the woman, he should have stopped. That's what makes it a sad tragedy."
Keenan also said the stretch of City Avenue where the crash happened is dangerous for pedestrians.
"If anyone knows who's driving this car, collisions happen. People need to take responsibility for their actions," Keenan said. "It's understandable that someone might be scared or upset. It's in their best interest to turn themselves in."