Philadelphia

Woman, Child Still Critical After Being Struck by Van in West Philadelphia

A woman and a 2-year-old child remained in critical condition Sunday morning after they and two others were run over by a van as they left a party in West Philadelphia's Parkside section Saturday evening.

Police said the 2-year-old, a 6-year-old girl, and two women, ages 25 and 30, were crossing Parkside Avenue near 49th Street just before 5:30 p.m. when a 1996 Dodge Ram driven by a 77-year-old man struck them in the street.

The two women were both taken to Presbyterian Hospital while the children were taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Both the 25-year-old woman and 6-year-old girl were in reported in stable condition Saturday night. The 30-year-old victim and 2-year-old child remained critical Sunday morning.

Mary Faust, who witnessed the crash, told NBC10 the 77-year-old driver stayed at the scene after the accident.

"Someone asked him, 'Who hit these people?' He said, 'I did,'" Faust said.

The driver, who was not hurt during the crash, told police he was trying to get around cars that were illegally parked when he struck the four victims, according to investigators. 

Loved ones told NBC10 the victims were leaving the birthday party of the kids' 75-year-old grandmother at the time of the accident. Deborah Smith, a minister who attended the party, told NBC10 everyone began to pray after the four victims were struck.

"We just believe God," she said. "We believe in healing and we believe that He will bring the children through." 

Police continue to investigate.

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