A 69-year-old woman is in critical condition after a hit-and-run driver struck her on one of Philadelphia's most dangerous roads.
The crash happened as the woman was walking on Cottman Avenue at the Roosevelt Boulevard intersection after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. She was hit with such force that her shoes were knocked off and her body flung over a fence on the side of the road.
The woman sustained severe head trauma and several broken bones, police said.
While the driver fled the scene, police did find a sideview mirror that they hope will help them make an arrest.
"We have cameras, we have witnesses, we have physical evidence from the striking vehicle, so we're pretty confident we will make an arrest," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
Roosevelt Boulevard, which is six lanes and expands to as much as 12 lanes the farther north it goes, has long been known as one of the deadliest in all of Pennsylvania.
Between 2013 and 2017, 139 people died or were seriously hurt there, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation statistics provided by Councilwoman Cherelle Parker.
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Earlier this month, Mayor Jim Kenney signed off on legislation that would see speed cameras installed along Roosevelt Boulevard north of 9th Street to Philadelphia's border with Bucks County.
The cameras are expected to be installed before the end of 2019. Exact dates and locations have yet to be determined. Officials say data will drive the camera locations.
Editor's Note: Philadelphia Police initially said the victim was 73 years old, but later said she was 69.
