Man critical after Roosevelt Blvd. hit-run

A 25-year-old man was in critical condition after being struck by a car while trying to cross Roosevelt Boulevard against the traffic light Wednesday morning, police said.

The car was driven from the scene after the pedestrian was hit around 1:50 a.m. on the Boulevard at Front Street.

Emmett Toohey of Philadelphia, suffered a broken left leg and pelvis, and had bleeding on the brain, said Capt. John Wilczynski of the Accident Investigation District. The force of the impact, Wilczynski said, knocked Toohey out of his shoes.

Toohey was being treated at Einstein Medical Center. His family was "devastated," Wilczynski said.

A witness, driving behind the vehicle in the accident, stopped to help the man and called 911, Wilczynski said. That witness confirmed that Toohey had crossed against a red light.

"We get it quite often," Wilczynski said. "There is a responsibility of the pedestrian to be aware of their surroundings. I see it every day. They're walking across lights, they're walking mid-block, they're walking across the street with their headphones on or even texting. That's all dangerous behavior that can lead to a critical injury or death."

The vehicle was described as a dark sedan, last seen driving north on the Boulevard. Wilczynski said there should be damage to the front of the car. Investigators were reviewing video footage from a nearby Dunkin' Donuts store.

The witness did not indicate anything unusual, such as excessive speeding by the vehicle that struck Toohey, Wilczynski said.

The crash came just about 24 hours after another hit-and-run left a pedestrian critically injured. In that case, Michael Toner, 68, an actor, had to have his right leg amputated after he was struck near 11th and Market Streets early Tuesday.

Wilczynski said there was no video of that incident. "We have nothing to go with at this point," he said.

No witnesses reported seeing the accident and investigators have not been able to interview Toner.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-685-3180.