Pedestrian fatally hit by suspected drunken driver in Nicetown

A male pedestrian died after he was hit by a suspected drunken driver overnight in Nicetown, police said.

The crash happened about 1:45 a.m. Thursday on the 4300 block of Wissahickon Avenue, police said.

Authorities said officers on patrol in the area saw a white BMW stopped in the middle of the road. The car had a shattered windshield, smoke coming from the engine, heavy damage and blood on its hood.

When the officers stopped to investigate, the driver told them he had hit an animal, police said.

But police then found the victim on the sidewalk, bleeding from his head. The 23-year-old man, whose name wasn't released because his family was still being notified, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:02 a.m.

The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI, police said. He was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment of hand and facial injuries.

Police didn't immediately identify him because charges were still pending.