Police identify 8-year-old struck, killed by hit-and-run driver in Strawberry Mansion
Police said Ja-Kha House was killed in a hit-and-run crash at 33rd and Huntingdon streets.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have identified the 8-year-old who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Monday afternoon in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion section.
The crash happened at 4:18 p.m. at 33rd and Huntingdon streets.
A woman was crossing the street with her son, Ja-Kha House, at the intersection when the driver of a white Buick Enclave hit the child.
"It sounded like it hit a car, that's how hard the impact was," recalled Carol Green who witnessed the crash. "Everybody was trying to help the little boy and the mother because she was hysterical."
The impact of the crash sent the boy about 25 feet into the air. He was taken by medics to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children where he succumbed to his injuries.
Some witnesses told police the driver appeared to be fleeing gunfire.
"They said that somebody was shooting at him, that's what they said. I don't know the truth to that," said Green.
Police say the striking vehicle, which was stolen from the 26th District, was found unoccupied at about 7:15 p.m. on the 4000 block of Balwynne Park Road with three bullet holes in the driver's side window. Officers also saw two men run from the vehicle.
Officers are still trying to track down the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
