Driver thought screams were children playing

For nearly five blocks, the screams pierced the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood as an elderly woman drove toward home - after striking a 7-year-old girl and dragging a 10-year-old boy underneath her car.

Yesterday, the woman, Jeanne Sklar, 82, of the 1200 block of Glenview Street, insisted in a strong and confident voice that she thought those cries in the dark - from the boy and horrified witnesses - were from children playing.

"Had I known, I would have pulled to the side," Sklar said during a telephone interview from her home.

But police and witnesses added another side to the story about Monday evening's tragedy, which left Christopher Vasquez in critical condition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with head, chest and back injuries. His sister, Kiara Vasquez, was listed in stable condition.

Witnesses said the children were crossing the street at Algon and Magee Avenues as Sklar was turning right off Algon onto Magee, according to Sgt. Albert Gramlich of the Accident Investigation District. Kiara was struck and knocked down, and Christopher was hit and pinned under the vehicle.

Sklar, driving a white 1993 Plymouth Acclaim, continued on Magee, dragging Christopher a block before turning left onto Summerdale Avenue. She drove north another four blocks, and Christopher fell free at Knorr Street, Gramlich said.

Passersby, including a nurse, rushed to help the boy as he lay bleeding. The boy was able to tell them his name, age and where he lived with his family: on the nearby 900 block of Unruh Avenue.

Meanwhile, Sklar continued home, turning right onto Glenview and parking her car in front of the rowhouse where she has lived since 1952. Police arrived a short time later.

"They [officers] asked me why I didn't remain in the car. I would have remained in the car if I thought anything had happened," Sklar said.

In her telephone interview, Sklar, who maintained she has no health issues or vision problems, said: "I did not hit anything. I just heard children's voices . . . It's not in my character to leave the scene."

In her account to authorities, police said, Sklar told them that she thought she may have hit an animal, perhaps a deer, which would have been unlikely in the neighborhood. Police said she did not appear impaired.

However, police had concerns about the condition of her home, which was cluttered with debris and space heaters. Police said they contacted officials from the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Sklar was allowed to remain in her home, but was cited for an accumulation of rubbish or garbage. She has 30 days to correct the violation, said Maura Kennedy, a spokeswoman in the mayor's office.

Sklar said her home is not unsafe but added she does have many bags of belongings, including books. She said she uses space heaters for warmth because that's all she can afford.

"These older homes are too costly to heat," she said, adding that she wants to remain there. "Where am I going to go? I will not leave."

Police said their report about the accident will be sent to the District Attorney's Office, which will determine whether Sklar faces criminal charges.

At the Vasquez house, a small Puerto Rican flag hung near the front door. Neighbors said the children, who attend J. Hampton Moore Elementary School, were energetic and often played on bikes and skateboards outside.

"They're a very nice family," said neighbor Stan Pikulski, 47.

One of Sklar's neighbors, Gregory Howerton, 57, said he sometimes sees her on her trips to stores.

"She drives real slow," Howerton said. "She's a nice lady and she keeps to herself."