Driver found guilty for Philadelphia hit-and-run that injured man, 3 children

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man charged with a hit-and-run crash that injured three children and an adult man in Philadelphia has been found guilty.

Fifty-four-year-old Andre Shuford was convicted Wednesday of 14 of the 20 charges he was facing, including aggravated assault by vehicle.

Shuford was driving a pickup truck on September 2, 2022 when he hit the victims at 56th and Vine streets in West Philadelphia.

Police found the striking vehicle in the 5300 block of Race Street. When police arrived, the truck was empty.

5-year-old Divinity Johnson, her 3-year-old sister, Essence, her one-year-old brother, and her aunt's boyfriend were mowed down.

"He hit a parked car and gets out looks at the damage and flees the scene," said prosecutor Brian Maguire. "He runs a red light, at which point he runs directly into this family."

Divinity was hospitalized and suffered a traumatic brain injury. She's rebuilding her life with the help of her family.

"I was very happy to hear the news today," said Elsie Johnson, their aunt. "(Divinity) will be going back to school, full time."

Shuford finally surrendered to police several weeks after the crash. He is being held without bail.

Sentencing is set for October.