Investigators believe speed and alcohol played in a role in a crash where a woman died after her car slammed into a pole and into a ditch after exiting the Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) northbound overnight.
The crash at Wissahickon and Roberts avenue in Philadelphia’s Nicetown section around 10:30 p.m. Monday left three people — including a pregnant woman — hurt, said Philadelphia Police.
“When she exited the Roberts Avenue Exit she was driving at a high-rate of speed, lost control during the turn, jumped up on the curb, crashed into a telephone pole — breaking that telephone pole in half — then she went down about a 20-foot embankment,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Medics pronounced the 23-year-old driver dead at the scene from head trauma, said Small.
Medics rushed the woman’s front seat passenger — a 24-year-old man — to Einstein Medical Center with severe head trauma and a broken arm.
A 24-year-old man and a 24-year-old pregnant woman who were in the back seat were both taken to Temple University Hospital where they were expected to be OK.
After the wreck, the badly-damaged 2013 Ford sedan sat in the ditch with its alarm blaring and lights flashing.
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Accident investigators found several bottles of booze in the car, said Small.
“They believe speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the fatal auto accident.”
Crews remained on the scene for hours as they cleared the crash and repaired the utility pole.
