Man strikes girl, 7, with SUV, then flees in West Philadelphia

The hunt is on for a man who hit a 7-year-old girl with his SUV in West Philadelphia's Belmont neighborhood early Sunday evening, badly injuring her, before he drove away.

Police said the little girl was at 42nd and Pennsgrove streets at 6:47 p.m. when the man, who was driving a lime green Mitsubishi Outlander SUV with Pennsylvania tag JKY7458, struck her at the intersection. The man then fled the scene of the accident without stopping, according to police. He was last seen driving east on Girard Avenue from 38th Street, police said.

The driver is described as black, 45 to 50 years old, with a medium build and facial hair with a "little bit of gray in it," according to investigators.

The little girl was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was in guarded condition about 9 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Anyone with information on the striking vehicle or its driver should contact Accident Investigation at 215-685-3180 or the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be texted to PPD TIP (773847).