A Philadelphia Police vehicle

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A woman was struck and killed by a speeding hit-and-run driver in Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood on Thursday, Nov. 27, Philadelphia police announced.

The 41-year-old victim was crossing Market Street at 36th Street on her lunch break when she was hit just before 4 p.m., according to police. She worked at a nearby business.

Investigators said the driver was heading east on Market Street at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly when he slammed into the woman. “She was hit with such force, that she was knocked out of both of her sneakers,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. “And her body appears to have been launched and dragged a distance of 200 feet.”

After the impact, the 31-year-old driver continued down Market Street and crashed into another car at 33rd Street before running off, authorities said. He was quickly arrested.

The victim has not yet been identified. Those inside the second vehicle suffered minor injuries, police said.

Small said the driver was bleeding from the head and suffered minor cuts. Speed and reckless driving are believed to be factors based on witness accounts, and the suspect is expected to face vehicular homicide and additional charges.

The deadly crash happened one week after another fatal hit-and-run in the same area on Thursday, Nov. 20.