Two pedestrians sustained injuries earlier this week when a black Toyota Sienna minivan jumped onto the curb in Center City, Philadelphia near Suburban Station around the intersection of 16th Street and JFK Boulevard. The injured pedestrians were rushed to nearby Hahnemann University Hospital for medical treatment, where they are reportedly in stable condition. The van also struck a newsstand, injuring the owner, who was not hospitalized. A second vehicle, identified as a Hyundai Santa Fe, may have contributed to the collision, the causes of which are still under investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department. Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Brent Wieand has updates on the developing story.
At approximately 11:45 A.M. on Tuesday, June 13, a minivan jumped onto the curb near Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia, injuring three people. Two of the injury victims were male pedestrians, aged 38 and 76 years old. Both men, whose names have not been disclosed, were immediately hospitalized at Hahnemann University Hospital. According to Capt. Patrick Kelly of the Philadelphia Police Department, Accident Investigation Division, both victims have been stabilized.
The third injury victim was the owner of a newsstand which was also struck by the van. The newsstand owner was not hospitalized for his injuries.
The accident also caused damage to the BB&T bank at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard, shattering one of the business’ windows.
Accident investigators are still in the process of determining the underlying cause of the accident, but have already begun piecing together the chain of events leading up to the crash. According to investigators, the Toyota and Hyundai were both traveling westbound along JFK Boulevard when one of the vehicles attempted to change lanes. The attempted lane change maneuver caused the Toyota to strike the Hyundai from behind, at which point the Toyota’s driver lost control of the vehicle and mounted the curb. Footage of the crash site clearly shows the Toyota with all four wheels completely atop the curb, its hood crumpled against the lower portion of the broken bank window. No one inside the bank was injured.
Kelly reported that the drivers of both vehicles remained at the scene of the accident, as is required by state law. (Failure to abide by this law – which requires drivers who cause injury crashes to supply their name, address, and registration, display their license and insurance information upon request, and call 9-1-1 or provide other “reasonable assistance” – can result in prosecution for leaving the scene of an accident, otherwise known as “hit and run.”) He does not presently expect criminal charges to be filed.
UPDATE, JUNE 14, 2017: Sadly, despite initial reports that both pedestrians were in stable condition, one of the victims died from his injuries during the evening of June 13 while hospitalized at Hahnemann University Hospital. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Peter Javsicas of Northwest Philadelphia’s Mount Airy neighborhood.
The 38-year-old victim, whose name has still not been released to the public, is still reported to be in stable condition. The driver’s identity is also being withheld.
As of June 14, criminal charges still have not been filed against the driver. However, there may be a possibility that the surviving injury victim, and/or Javsicas’ family members, may hire a Philadelphia car accident lawyer or Philadelphia wrongful death attorney in order to pursue a civil action against the driver. No information about fault for the accident has been released.
There has been no update on the involvement of the Hyundai Santa Fe’s driver.
This story is a sad example of how quickly injuries which initially seem survivable can turn life-threatening or fatal, even with prompt medical care. You should seek immediate treatment if you are ever struck by a vehicle, even if your injuries seem minor. After a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, every second counts.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident in Center City, Mount Airy, or another neighborhood in Philadelphia, you should also seek legal help after receiving medical care. Compensation may be available for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. To talk about getting compensated for your auto accident injury in a free and confidential legal consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, contact the Wieand Law Firm, LLC at (888) 789-3161 as soon as possible. The Wieand Law Firm, LLC handles car accident claims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. It is not legal advice and should not be used as legal advice. The Wieand Law Firm, LLC is based in Philadelphia, PA, and proud to serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.*
