Woman killed in hit-and-run in South Philadelphia, police say

A woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in South Philadelphia late Monday night, according to police.

The crash occurred around 11:15 p.m. as the woman crossed Oregon Avenue at Broad Street. Police said a small SUV ran a red light and struck her before fleeing the scene.

The woman was hit with such force that she was thrown nearly 100 feet.

Police initially identified the victim as a 72-year-old woman. Later on Tuesday, police said they believed the woman was in her 40s. Police are now working to learn her identity.

Police sources said Tuesday afternoon that a person of interest is in custody and is being questioned in connection with the crash.

Investigators believe the striking vehicle may have had a Pennsylvania license plate that included the letters "MLK."

Tuesday morning, officers located a vehicle on Northview Road in Northeast Philadelphia that they believed was connected to the crash. However, sources now say that the owner of that vehicle provided a strong alibi that showed the car did not move all night.

This is the second fatal hit-and-run crash this week in South Philadelphia. John McDermott, a 75-year-old man, died after he was pinned between two vehicles during a chain-reaction crash Sunday night near the 1100 block of South 11th Street, police said. The driver fled the scene but later turned himself in, according to police sources. Charges are expected soon in that case.

"You could be walking across the street and you have the light and the car could come that fast and hit you. They don't care," neighbor Tina Marie Gaeta said. "But they're going to get them and put them in jail. That poor lady — rest her soul."

The Broad and Oregon crash remains under investigation. Investigators say if you see a small SUV, possibly light blue in color and possibly a Chevrolet, with the letters "MLK" in the license plate, call 215-686-TIPS.