On March 15, 2026, at approximately 5:15 a.m., a two-vehicle crash occurred on the 5200 block of Torresdale Avenue, resulting in the death of an infant and serious injuries to an adult passenger.
Preliminary investigation determined that Unit #1, a privately operated ambulance, was traveling southbound on Torresdale Avenue at a high rate of speed and was not operating in emergency status, with no lights or sirens activated. The vehicle proceeded through a steady red traffic signal at the intersection with Harbison Avenue. At the same time, Unit #2, a 2010 Honda Accord traveling eastbound on Harbison Avenue with a steady green signal, entered the intersection and was struck on the driver’s side front door by Unit #1. The force of the crash ejected both the adult passenger, identified as the infant’s mother, and the infant through the front windshield of Unit #1. Both were found on the roadway.
Police were initially responding to a separate radio call for an unresponsive infant at a residence on the 6600 block of Ditman Street. Prior to police arrival, family members left that location in a private ambulance in an attempt to transport the infant to the hospital. Philadelphia Fire Department medics transported both the mother and the infant to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where the infant, identified as Marian Harris, was pronounced deceased at 6:17 a.m. The mother sustained severe head trauma and was listed in critical condition.
The driver of Unit #2 refused medical treatment at the scene, while police transported the operator of Unit #1 to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. The operator of Unit #1, a 51-year-old male, was driving a white 2014 Mercedes-Benz ambulance.
The driver of Unit #2 is a 25-year-old male operating a red 2010 Honda Accord. The operator of Unit #1 will face charges, including DUI and related offenses.
The investigation remains active and ongoing with the Crash Investigation Division.
Also on Sunday, March 15, at approximately 2:02 p.m., a vehicle struck two pedestrians in the 22nd District on the 1600 block of West Girard Avenue. The incident resulted in a fatal injury to one of the pedestrians.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Unit #1, a 2006 black Ford Mustang operated by a 36-year-old male, was traveling eastbound on the 1600 block of West Girard Avenue when two pedestrians, identified as Unit #2 and Unit #3, began crossing Girard Avenue mid-block. As the pedestrians crossed, the driver attempted to avoid Unit #3 by veering into the oncoming travel lane. During this maneuver, the vehicle struck Unit #2. Unit #3 appears to have been struck by the vehicle’s front passenger-side wheel and subsequently made contact along the passenger side of the vehicle.
Following the collision, the driver called 9-1-1.
Unit #2, a 27-year-old male pedestrian, suffered severe head trauma and was transported by Philadelphia Fire Department Medic to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 2:37 p.m. Unit #3, a 27-year-old female pedestrian, was also transported by PFD Medic to Temple University Hospital, where she was treated for multiple injuries and listed in stable condition.
The Crash Investigation Division is actively investigating the incident.