Police: Driver rushing to hospital in Philadelphia crashes; 2 teens killed
PHILADELPHIA -- Police say the driver of a car was rushing to the hospital to see his father when he ran a red light in Philadelphia, causing a crash that left his brother and a friend dead.
According to investigators, the father of the 18-year-old driver had been robbed and assaulted while making a food delivery about 45 minutes before the wreck.
Those killed were identified as 17-year-old Maggie Lynn Goloff of the 800-block of Cottman Avenue and the driver's brother, 19-year-old Osman Zeylnov of the 400-block of Renard Street.
The name of the driver has not been released.
Police say he was driving his Hyundai Sonata southbound on Roosevelt Boulevard around 12:30 a.m. Friday when he ran the light and was struck by a Ford Explorer being driven westbound on Front Street.
The front-end of the Ford hit the driver's side of the Hyundai, causing the passenger's side to crash into a light pole.
Zeylnov was pronounced dead at the hospital. Goloff was pronounced dead at the scene.
"We know the 17-year-old female was sitting in the front seat when medics found her. It appears that where she was sitting was where the vehicle hit the light pole," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The driver of the car suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the Ford, a 55-year-old woman, also suffered minor injuries.
Sterling Scott heard the crash and rushed from his home, where a small group had already gathered.
The Hyundai driver was trying to climb through the window.
"We helped him out of the vehicle. He was almost halfway out and he was saying 'give me a hand, give me a hand' so we helped him out," Scott said.
The two passengers were trapped. Scott called 911.
"There's two people trapped in the back of the vehicle. And both sides were crushed there's no way they could get out," he said.
The SUV came up the embankment and rolled down the hill to a stop.
"She was screaming 'they hit me, they hit me.' I said 'you've got to calm down, that will be dealt with later on,'" said Scott.
Both drivers survived with just minor facial injuries.
Police are looking for surveillance video and are interviewing both drivers as this investigation continues.
As for the robbery of the driver's father, police say he was held up in the 1900 block of Bristol Street around 11:45 p.m. Thursday. He was flagged down by two men who claimed to have ordered the food.
One of the men had a gun and there was a struggle, police say, and the victim was struck repeatedly in the head. The suspects fled after seeing a marked police car drive by.
The descriptions released by police are:
Suspect #1 Description: a male, 5'8-9", skinny build, wearing a grey zip up sweatshirt and white t-shirt.
Suspect #2 Description: male, 5'8-9", wearing all black.
