Man and dog killed after vehicle t-boned by speeding SUV in West Philadelphia

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man and a dog were killed when the driver of a Dodge Durango sped through a red light and slammed into a Chevrolet Malibu that had the right of way early Friday morning in West Philadelphia, police said.

Surveillance video shows the Durango racing down Walnut Street around 4 a.m.

The SUV is seen flying through the intersection at 48th and Walnut before T-boning the Malibu.

The impact left the sedan so badly mangled that emergency responders could not get inside.

"They had the green signal and it looks to us that the striking vehicle disregarded a steady red," said Capt. Stephen Clark of the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Division.

The force of the crash launched the Malibu into two parked cars on Walnut Street. One had its trunk damaged, and another was pushed onto the steps of a nearby home.

"It sounded like it was just boom, boom, boom, boom, boom," said Avery Kirk, who lives in the area.

Police radio traffic minutes before the crash included a lookout for a speeding Dodge on Walnut Street, and investigators said there was prior information about vehicles racing in the area, Clark said.

Investigators said three people were inside the Dodge: a 25-year-old male driver and two male passengers, ages 23 and 22. All three were treated at a hospital and released with minor injuries.

The occupants of the Malibu did not survive. Police said the vehicle was towed to the medical examiner's office.

Neighbors said the crash, while disturbing, was not surprising.

"People treat it like a highway. They're going as fast as they can," said Caleb Gallus, who lives nearby.

Another resident said frequent crashes have changed daily habits.

"I don't park with my car here no more because people crash into people's cars all the time," the resident said.

Some neighbors said they have been calling for speed cameras in the area for years.

"If people learn to stop, or they're going to get a fine. Then they'll stop," said Stephen DeLuca, who lives in West Philadelphia.

Police said the case remains an active investigation and that no charges have been filed.