Philadelphia police looking for driver after 16-year-old passenger killed in Roosevelt Boulevard crash

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Police are on the lookout for a driver who they say flipped a stolen auto in a high-velocity crash on Roosevelt Boulevard and left his dying 16-12 months-previous passenger in the roadway.

The crash took place all-around 11:45 p.m. Monday.

Law enforcement say the 2021 Kia was stolen two days ahead of from a locale just blocks absent from the crash internet site in the Feltonville portion of Philadelphia.

“It plainly seems that velocity was a variable,” in accordance to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Compact.

A witness instructed law enforcement that the driver of a dashing Kia clipped the again of a 2006 Honda, which had been sitting at a red light at Roosevelt Boulevard and Increasing Sunshine Avenue.

The influence induced the driver of the Kia to get rid of management and roll around a number of occasions.

Even though the Kia was flipping, law enforcement say the teenage passenger in the Kia was ejected and thrown on to the roadway.

The passenger was subsequently pronounced dead by 1st responders. The sufferer was discovered as 16-yr-previous Naim Castelberry.

Police say the driver of the Kia was ready to get out of the greatly weakened vehicle and, even however he was limping, fled eastbound on foot leaving his passenger.

“Far more than most likely the reason the driver of the Kia fled the scene of the accident was due to the motor vehicle (being) in stolen position,” Little mentioned.

The 29-yr-aged driver of the Honda was taken to Einstien Health care Center in steady situation. Tiny mentioned he was cooperating with investigators.

Witness Elvin Gonzalez experienced been sitting down in his minivan, parked at a nearby Dunkin’, when the Kia slammed into the Honda.

“The spare tire from that vehicle basically flew and strike my car or truck, and really scraped up the hood and knocked out my facet mirror. It was odd the affect was so rapid,” said Gonzalez.

He added, “The driver fled prior to I could even try to capture up to him. So then I ran to the passenger, but it was far too late. There was almost nothing I could do for him.”

Law enforcement are examining cameras in the area for a description of the driver.

Castelberry attended Dobbins Complex Large College.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the University District of Philadelphia stated in a statement: “We are heartbroken to master about the passing of a Dobbins student, whose life was tragically missing past night as a end result of an car incident. Our feelings and prayers are with the household and pals of the students involved. To help the psychological requires of our learners, we have counseling and assist solutions offered for those who might want aid coping with this grief.”

Police are investigating if the stolen Kia is relevant to a TikTok social media challenge that requires making use of a USB twine to hot wire the cars. They say there has been a rise in stolen Kias as a result of the challenge.

Relevant: Examine the 6abc Neighborhood Protection Tracker