Man critically injured in hit-and-run after being struck by vehicle in Chinatown
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man is fighting for his life after being struck by a minivan in Philadelphia's Chinatown section Thursday night.
The man was struck around 9 p.m. near 11th and Vine streets.
Police said the vehicle was heading west on Vine Street on a green light when it hit the 53-year-old, who was in the crosswalk.
The driver left the scene and the pedestrian was taken by police to Jefferson Hospital in critical condition.
Police say the vehicle involved is a silver or light-colored minivan. It was last seen leaving the scene in an unknown direction.
Action News obtained surveillance video from Thursday night that shows the man waiting on the sidewalk.
An ambulance approaches to cross over Vine. As it does the man attempts to cross too.
But as he does so, he's hit by the minivan.
Harry Leong, the center director at the Chinese Christian Church at 11th and Vine, shared the video with us.
"It's always hurtful to see people being injured," Leong said.
Leong says this intersection is dangerous.
"There's many accidents here on this corner. Everything from people getting hit like last night to cars being hit," he said.
He's documented about a dozen accidents here in recent years.
"People find that it's like a freeway coming up Vine Street. The lights are all green, so they just zoom through," said Leong.
Leong says he's had several meetings with city officials about 11th and Vine.
As of right now, it could be part of the Chinatown Stitch, a proposal to cover the expressway that divides the two sides of Chinatown. One of the goals is to create safer streets for people walking and biking.
Leong hopes that could lead to changes in his neighborhood.
"I'm just kind of trying to envision what could happen to prepare for what's going on," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
RELATED: Check the 6abc Neighborhood Safety Tracker
