Woman killed in Center City identified as a West Philly teacher
Zoe Schemm, 26, was attempting to catch a bus when a vehicle driver struck her Wednesday morning.
Philadelphia police have identified the victim of a fatal car crash in Center City as a teacher at a West Philly elementary school.
Zoe Schemm, 26, was attempting to catch a bus near 19th and Lombard Streets when a vehicle driver struck her at 6:42 a.m. Wednesday. She suffered severe injuries after becoming trapped underneath the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
The driver of the white Audi sedan was traveling west on Lombard when the car hit Schemm while she was crossing the street. The driver remained at the scene. Police are investigating but have made no arrests.
Schemm was a teacher at Belmont Charter Elementary School in West Philadelphia. Belmont Charter’s elementary and middle school held classes virtually Thursday to give its community space to grieve Schemm’s death.
“Belmont Charter Network is heartbroken by the unexpected death of a member of our school community. She was a valued teacher who cared deeply for her students and made a lasting impact during her time at Belmont. Her loss is being felt deeply across our community,” Aquilla Waller, Belmont Charter’s head of school, said by email.
“I’m heartbroken that a young Belmont Charter teacher lost her life after being struck by a vehicle. … This is another somber reminder of how important it is to make sure our streets are safe,” City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who represents West Philadelphia, said in a social media statement.
