Family identifies man who police say was struck and killed by teen racer

Family members identified a man who police say was struck and killed by a racing teen driver who fled the scene after the crash.

During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced homicide charges against Joseph Vannauker, 19, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in connection to the death of 37-year-old Gabriel León.

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Police said Vannauker was driving a 2020 blue Dodge Charger shortly after midnight Tuesday on Castor and Aramingo avenues in Philadelphia. Vannauker was racing a white Dodge Charger and traveling 75 miles per hour when he struck León, who was walking at the intersection, knocking him out of his sneakers, police said.

León was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:25 a.m.

A Philadelphia police officer who was already in the area in response to reports of a shooting witnessed the crash, investigators said. Another witness showed police dashcam video of the crash from their vehicle. Investigators said that video showed Vannauker and the driver of the white Dodge Charger revving their engines and traveling at a high speed shortly before the crash.

Responding officers pursued both Vannauker and the other driver but were unable to stop them, investigators said. Vannauker allegedly ignored traffic signals as he fled the scene at a high speed and crossed the Betsy Ross Bridge into New Jersey.

After Philadelphia Police sent out a description of the blue Dodge Charger, police in Pennsauken, New Jersey, spotted a vehicle that matched the description, investigators said. Pennsauken Police pulled over the vehicle, which had front end damage, and took the driver, who they later identified as Vannauker, as well as his passenger, a 16-year-old boy, into custody. The teen passenger suffered injuries to his right hand and forearm and was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said.

Vannauker declined to speak with Philadelphia police and instead requested legal counsel, investigators said. He remains in custody and is charged with murder, homicide by vehicle, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and other related offenses.

Vannauker is also awaiting a preliminary hearing for another case stemming from his alleged involvement in a previous street racing incident in October 2022.

"This defendant's reckless behavior and callous disregard for the lives of others presents a clear threat to public safety," Krasner said. "I'm grateful for the investigation conducted by Philadelphia police and our law enforcement partners in New Jersey. We have the necessary evidence to prosecute this case and pursue justice for Gabriel León, his loved ones, and the community. Mr. Vannauker will be held accountable for his terrible crimes."