Arrest made in Nicetown hit-and-run

Police have arrested a woman suspected of deliberately running down a Nicetown resident with an SUV and crushing her leg Friday in a crash that ultimately led to a fire that destroyed the victim's home.

The suspect, who allegedly sped away from the scene, surrendered about 11 a.m. Saturday, police said. Her identity was not immediately released, pending formal charges.

The victim, Beatrice Spence, 24, was standing outside her home on the 4400 block of North 17th Street when the driver - with whom Spence had been feuding - deliberately rammed the SUV into her, police said, pinning her against the porch and mangling her leg.

The vehicle sped off down Wingohocking Street, leaving Spence with critical injuries.

Her distraught family rushed to help her, leaving dinner cooking on the stove that ignited a blaze that destroyed the home, investigators said. There were no additional injuries.

Neighbors said they believed Spence and the SUV's driver were involved in a dispute about a man.

Police said more information would be released once charges against the suspect were made final.

- Alex Wigglesworth