Police investigating after man ran over, killed in Philadelphia's Roxborough section

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Authorities are trying to unravel a deadly and bizarre crash involving a pedestrian in Philadelphia's Roxborough section.

The driver of a bucket truck says he didn't realize he ran over a Roxborough man, who he said was allegedly pulling on his door handle while holding a large tree branch, according to police.

The bizarre encounter happened Friday around 1 a.m. at the intersection of Ridge and Leverington avenues.

"According to the driver of the work truck, this victim approached the work truck and was pulling on the door and actually broke the handle of the work truck door off," said Chief Inspector Scott Small, with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Police say they found the door handle under the victim's body after the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The handle was on the ground next to a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

As of now, police say the driver didn't know that the victim was run over as he sped away.

Police found the work truck and the driver about 10 blocks from the scene and say the driver returned with officers to answered their questions.

Action News has been told the victim was in his 50s and lived a block away.

Police have not yet released his identity, but have spoken with family members who were at the scene.

Police say crash investigators are also checking surveillance video to verify what they were told.