Baby dies, mother injured as Philadelphia police investigate crash involving ambulance in Frankford
A baby died and her mother remains in critical condition as Philadelphia police continue to investigate a crash involving a private ambulance in Frankford early Sunday morning.
The crash happened at Harbison and Frankford avenues just after 5 a.m.
Investigators said the ambulance driver ran a red light with the mother and her baby inside and crashed into another vehicle. According to police sources, the ambulance driver was the baby’s grandfather. He could face criminal charges, including driving under the influence.
Police said the incident started early on March 15 after first responders got a call for help on Ditman Street in Tacony about an unresponsive infant.
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By the time officers arrived, the family had already left the home in a private ambulance, trying to get the baby to the hospital. Police said at 5:15 a.m., the ambulance crashed at Torresdale and Harbison avenues.
“From where I live at, I heard a loud thump, so I decided to walk up here,” Leon Starks said. “And I see all this debris, so I know somebody was speeding.”
Investigators said the ambulance was speeding without emergency lights or sirens and ran a red light, smashing into a Honda Accord that was traveling through the intersection on a green light.
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Police said the infant and the child’s mother were ejected through the front windshield of the ambulance and landed in the roadway.
The baby girl, identified as Marian Harris, was pronounced dead at the hospital, but it remains unclear whether she died before or after the crash. Police are awaiting a report from the medical examiner. The baby’s mother is in critical condition, according to police.
“I hope the lady’s OK, I hope she makes it,” Tyron Herring said. “Even though her child is gone, her life is still important.”
Police said the driver of a Honda Accord refused medical attention. They said the 51-year-old man who was driving the ambulance was taken to the hospital. In a release, police said the driver will face several charges, including driving under the influence.
“You should not be driving drunk! Especially an ambulance,” said Ramon Nuñez, who lives nearby.
But Sunday night, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office said charges have not yet been recommended by the Philadelphia Police Department, and they’re still investigating.
CBS News Philadelphia reached out to MedStar EMS, the company that owns the ambulance, but they declined to comment, saying they are still conducting their own investigation into what happened.
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