5-year-old in "extremely critical" condition after crash in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood, police say
A 5-year-old boy is fighting for his life after the car he was riding in was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood Monday night.
The crash happened just after 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Aramingo Avenue and James Street. Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said four cars were involved in the accident, and investigators believe three cars were stopped at the intersection when a fourth car hit one or more of the vehicles, causing a chain-reaction accident.
Small said he believes the little boy was inside the car that hit the others, and that his mother was driving.
The child was taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children with severe head trauma.
"Our main concern regarding this accident is the welfare of the 5-year-old, who last we checked is still at St. Christopher's Hospital in extremely critical condition," Small said Tuesday morning. Small added that a child seat was found in the 5-year-old's car, but it's unknown if the boy was using it at the time of the crash.
None of the passengers in the other vehicles were hurt in the collision, including the boy's mother, but Small said a 6-year-old girl who was riding in one of the cars was "very shaken up."
Police said they believe speed might've played a role in the crash, and that all four cars involved stayed at the scene. Investigators located several cameras on businesses in the area, and hope to use that video to help figure out what happened.
"Just a tragic accident at this time," Small said. "Let's hope this 5-year-old pulls through."