A teenager confessed Thursday to being behind the wheel of his father's car during a hit-and-run crash that critically injured a Temple University student-athlete Wednesday night, telling police he panicked and drove away.
The 18-year-old man, along with his parents, contacted police about the striking vehicle's location Wednesday night -- hours after he sped away from the North Philly crash scene that left Rachel Hall, 22, hospitalized and fighting for her life.
Authorities announced in a Thursday afternoon news conference that the teen took responsibility for the crash, but they have yet to file charges as police are waiting on the District Attorney's Office to approve them.
The suspect is with his parents, and he along with his family are cooperating with investigators, police said.
The Philly teen, who only has a driver's permit, told investigators he panicked and left the scene -- the intersection of Park Avenue and Diamond Street, authorities said.
The suspect was driving his father's car, a silver Mitsubishi Galant that was recovered Thursday morning, officials said.
Two other young people, a man and a woman who are both under 21, were passengers in the sedan when the accident occurred, police said. Pennsylvania law dictates that anyone driving with a permit must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
Hall was riding her bike without a helmet when she was struck. The Temple University senior suffered multiple broken bones and head injuries. Her father identified his daughter as the victim Thursday morning from Temple University Hospital, where she is recovering from multiple broken bones and head injuries.
"It's unknown whether or not this 22-year-old female is going to survive these injuries," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
A senior and honor roll student at Temple, Hall is the goalie for the girl's lacrosse team and has been named to the Dean's List every semester, according to the team's website.
Her father told NBC10 she wants to become a police officer and is set to graduate next week.
