A teenage girl fleeing from a fight was struck and killed by a driver in the parking lot of a Northeast Philadelphia school and medical facility Wednesday, Philadelphia police said.
The incident took place just before 2 p.m. outside of Excel Academy South in the Crescentville neighborhood, the School District of Philadelphia said. The school shares the property with Friends Hospital along the 4600 block of Roosevelt Boulevard. Police initially said the incident took place in the Friends Hospital parking lot.
The 17-year-old was running away from being assaulted in a fight when a driver backing out of the parking lot struck her, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
The girl was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.
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The driver stopped and cooperated with investigators, Small said.
"We are heartbroken to learn about the passing of an Excel Academy South student, whose life was tragically lost yesterday as a result of an automobile accident," school district spokesperson Christina Clark said Thursday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the students involved.
"Excel Academy South is an accelerated high school, which is operated by an external provider. Since this is an active investigation, all questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Philadelphia Police Department."
Homicide detectives investigated the girl's death because of the assault that led up to it, Small said.
No charges were immediately filed.
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