A brother and sister are recovering after a pickup truck struck them at a busy Northeast Philadelphia road Wednesday afternoon.
The 7-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl were walking home from Decatur Elementary School on Academy Road shortly after 3 p.m.
As they crossed the street they were struck by a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck that was making a left turn. Leonard McGarth and his friend Stephanie Rodzwic were driving home when they witnessed the accident. The two nursing students quickly jumped into action.
"I jumped out and I ran over to the little girl," McGarth said. "She[[Rodzwic]] jumped out, came behind and ran to the little boy. We stabilized them. I stayed and talked to the little girl. I made sure nobody moved her."
Rodzwic says the young boy was still awake and alert after he was struck.
"i went to the little boy and he was screaming, 'I need to get up! I need to get up! I wanna get up!'" Rodzwic said.
The children were taken to St. Christopher's Hospital where they are both in critical condition. However, doctors expect both of them to make a full recovery.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
According to investigators, both the driver of the truck and the children had the green light. Police say the children had the right of way however since they were pedestrians.
Investigators say there was a crossing guard at the busy intersection but the children were at the other end. Officials with the school district say they're working with police to see if more guards are needed at the intersection.
No charges have been filed, but police say the driver will likely be ticketed. Police also say she is cooperating with authorities, wasn't reckless and was not intoxicated or under the influence.
