Half-naked driver kills teen with his car in West Philadelphia, police say
The 16-year-old, who was identified as James Saunders, suffered severe injuries. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and pronounced dead minutes later.
A half-naked man fatally hit a teenager with his car and fled the scene in West Philadelphia late Wednesday night, police said.
Just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, the 27-year-old man — later identified as Zaire Semaj Adams — was driving a 2015 Toyota Highlander at a high speed on North 44th Street when he hit a 16-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man who were in the crosswalk on Lancaster Avenue, police said.
One of the two victims was dragged around 100 feet by the SUV, 6ABC reported.
The 16-year-old, who was identified as James Saunders, suffered severe injuries. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and pronounced dead minutes later. Saunders lived a few blocks away in Mill Creek.
The 21-year-old, whose name was not released, suffered a broken ankle and was in stable condition.
Adams, of East Mount Airy, was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and related offenses. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Penn Presbyterian to be treated, police said.
The Toyota Highlander had been reported stolen in Cheltenham Township, police said.
When officers arrived at the accident scene, they found the driver still behind the wheel of the SUV, which was severely damaged. When officers asked the driver to come out of the vehicle, they realized the man was naked from the waist down. Officers also smelled alcohol on the driver, according to 6ABC.
The SUV also struck three parked vehicles after hitting the pedestrians, police said.
Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.