5 people, including 4 children, injured in Northeast Philadelphia hit-and-run: "He didn't stop"

An 18-year-old is in custody after a hit-and-run in Northeast Philadelphia hospitalized five people including four young children Friday evening, police say.

Authorities say officers responded to a report of a car striking a crowd of people shortly after 6:00 p.m. on the 4700 block of Marple Street in the city's Holmesburg neighborhood. Police say a burgundy Chrysler 300 struck a 43-year-old woman and four children ranging from 3 to 6 years old.

According to Inspector D F Pace, a group of people were standing on the sidewalk at a block party celebrating a Prom when the Chrysler left the street, drove onto the sidewalk and struck five people.

The woman and a 4-year-old girl were taken to Einstein Medical Center. A 3-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl were transported to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, while a 4-year-old boy was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in critical condition. 

All five victims are listed in serious condition. The 43-year-old woman is the grandmother of two of the injured children.

The 18-year-old driver of the Chrysler, who guests say was invited to the event, sped off after striking the group, Pace said. Guests at the party gave officers with the driver's identity.

The father of one of the injured children got into his own vehicle, chased the driver and caught up with him in the 4500 block of Shelmire Aveenue, Pace said. An altercation broke out between the two before police arrived and took the 18-year-old into custody.

The 18-year-old sustained injuries during the altercation with the child's father.

The Chrysler was recovered by police and is being held for further investigation. The Chrysler is owned and registered to the 18-year-old, who is licensed to drive.

Shantee Pruitt, whose daughter was being celebrated at the party, said the driver was a friend of her daughter and had been invited to the gathering.

Pruitt said she believes the driver was speeding before losing control of the vehicle.

"He was trying to show off for the girls outside, speeding doing 60, and he sped out of control," Pruitt said. "It wasn't intentional."

Chopper 3 was over the Chrysler as officers surrounded the car and blocked off a section of the street.

"He was caught, captured, got what he deserved," Pruitt said. "And hopefully he suffers to the fullest extent of the law."

Pruitt also expressed heartbreak that the driver, whom she described as being close to her family, left the scene after the crash.

"He didn't stop," she said. "And the fact that he called us family and he calls me mom, and he didn't stop, my heart hurt."

Police are reviewing surveillance video from the area as investigators work to determine the circumstances leading up to the crash, including whether the driver intentionally struck the victims.

Authorities said it is too early to determine what charges the suspect may face, though fleeing the scene is expected to be among the potential offenses under investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing and police are not looking for anyone else in this hit-and-run.