Pedestrian killed in Port Richmond hit-and-run

A driver fatally struck a pedestrian in Port Richmond while racing another vehicle on Castor Avenue on Tuesday, then fled the scene and made his way to New Jersey, according to authorities.

The victim, who authorities say had no identification on him, was crossing the intersection of Castor and Aramingo Avenues at about 12:05 a.m. when a blue 2020 Dodge Charger struck him. Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene at about 12:25 a.m.

“That pedestrian that was struck by the blue Dodge Charger was hit while that vehicle was traveling at a very, very high rate of speed,” Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters at the scene. “The victim was knocked out of both of his sneakers.”

Police identified the 19-year-old driver of the blue Dodge Charger as Joseph Vannauker of Levittown.

Vannauker did not stop after hitting the pedestrian and instead “sped off” toward Richmond Avenue, police said. Vannauker and a 16-year-old male passenger crossed the Betsy Ross Bridge and made their way to Pennsauken, where local police there stopped the car and brought them back to Philadelphia for investigation.

The 16-year-old was released to his parents after he was treated for injuries to his right hand and forearm at St. Christopher’s Hospital. The driver of the vehicle is awaiting charges.

Authorities said Vannauker has been charged with homicide by vehicle, murder, and reckless driving.

The second car that was racing was a white Dodge Charger, according to 6ABC, which police are still searching for.