Driver charged after car hits, kills woman crossing street

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have filed charges against the driver of a car that allegedly ran a red light and struck a mother of three as she attempted to cross the street.

It happened around 9:15 a.m. Monday at the intersection of South 54th Street and Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

38-year-old Miriam Wilson was crossing Woodland Avenue when a 2015 Nissan Altima, traveling eastbound on Woodland Avenue, allegedly blew through a red light at a high rate of speed.

The car then attempted to pass a stopped trolley on the left and struck Wilson.

The driver then lost control of the vehicle, crossing over into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with another vehicle before hitting a pole.

Miriam Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan Altima is identified as 23-year-old Malachi Armstrong. Police say there was an odor of marijuana in Armstrong's car. He was arrested and charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Homicide by Vehicle, Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, Simple Assault, and related offenses.

Witnesses say it's nothing new to see vehicles speeding across the intersection of 54th and Woodland, illegally passing trolleys.

The victim of the vehicle that was struck head-on is hospitalized in stable condition with wounds to his legs.

Police had earlier reported that Wilson was attempting to get on the trolley when she was struck. However, after further investigation it was determined that she was simply trying to get across the street.