Fatal Hit and Run Accidents on the Rise in Philadelphia

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, hit and run accidents in the city have reached almost epidemic levels in recent months.

Nonfatal hit and run incidents have increased by 30%, while fatal hit and runs have gone up 55% compared to this time last year.

The most recent fatal hit and run in Philadelphia took the life of 18-year-old Kevin Maldonado, who was struck by a woman driving a stolen white Toyota Prius. After hitting Maldonado, the woman abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Incidents like this one leave many people wondering how someone can run from the scene of an accident and leave a person to die. In 2014, Pennsylvania law was amended to ensure that the minimum legal penalty for fleeing the scene of an accident would be the same as the minimum sentence for DUI, so as to provide no incentive for intoxicated drivers to leave the scene of a collision. But these types of crashes have persisted, and the victims' loved ones continue to suffer.

That law, known as “Kevin's Law,” originated in Luzerne County, PA, and was first used to win a case against Michael Scavone, the driver responsible for the 2015 DUI hit and run death of Paul Jones, of Harvey's Lake, PA. Scavone was sentenced at the end of last month.

If you or someone you love has been hit by a driver who left the scene, there are still some steps you can take to hold that person responsible. Witness statements and surrounding surveillance footage can often bring the hit and run driver to justice. Having a Philadelphia car accident lawyer on your side can help. If you have been hurt in a crash with a driver who fled the scene, we will work with police and investigators to help you get justice for your suffering. Contact our office for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options. Someone will be available to answer your call 24/7.