1 dead after car crashes into SEPTA trolley in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- One man is dead after a car crashed into a SEPTA trolley on Thursday night.

It happened in the city's Overbrook neighborhood around 8:19 p.m. on 59th Street and Lansdowne Avenue.

Officials say the driver of a grey Dodge Charger ran a red light and struck a Route 10 trolley in the intersection. Initial reports indicated that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.

Police told Action News the car struck the trolley so hard it was knocked off its tracks.

Video from the Citizen app showed the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Police say an officer was in the area when the incident took place and immediately jumped in to help.

"The officer actually pulled up immediately after and saw the Dodge Charger up in flames. Immediately notified the radio, backup arrived, and they were able to reach into the vehicle, which was engulfed in flames, because they saw that there was a driver still in the driver's seat. Very, very dangerous situation," said Chief Inspector Scott Small. "They were able to pull him out of the passenger side and then rush him to the hospital."

Police identified the Dodge Charger driver as 20-year-old Ahmir Lesean Henry. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Nine people, including the operator, were on board the trolley when the crash took place. SEPTA officials said the operator and one other passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

One woman also told Action News she took her children to CHOP as a precaution.

Everyone on the trolley is expected to be okay.