PHILADELPHIA — An infant died and the child’s mother was hospitalized after an ambulance driven by a family member crashed in Philadelphia’s Frankford section, NBC Philadelphia reported
The collision happened around 5:15 a.m. on March 15 at the intersection of Torresdale and Harbison avenues.
| MORE: First Responder Wellness Week returns with 5 days of focused, practical learning
Police said the crash happened when a MedStar EMS ambulance carrying the mother and child was traveling south on Torresdale Avenue at a high rate of speed without its lights or sirens activated.
Officials said the ambulance went through a red light at the intersection and struck a 2010 Honda Accord that was traveling through the intersection with a green light. The mother and the infant were ejected through the windshield of the ambulance, NBC Philadelphia reports.
A source familiar with the investigation told 6ABC News that the driver of the ambulance was the infant’s grandfather and a longtime employee of MedStar.
Police said officers were initially responding to a report of an unresponsive infant on Ditman Street. Before they arrived, the mother and child left for the hospital in a private ambulance. Investigators are working to determine whether the infant died in the crash or before it. No other details were released.
Police said the driver of the ambulance was also transported to a hospital and is facing charges, including DUI, FOX 29 reported. The driver of the Honda refused treatment at the scene.
“A PPD request for charges has not been submitted to the DAO at this time,” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told NBC Philadelphia. “While PPD’s and our forensic and investigative process may take some, we are committed to a fair, appropriate and just outcome.”
