Philadelphia, PA (September 22, 2023) – A fatal auto accident involving four cars occurred on Friday in Southwest Philadelphia, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred on the 6800 block of Essington Avenue at about 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Authorities said an unidentified motorist was speeding in a black Dodge Charger when the driver lost control of the car, causing it to crash into three others.
Officials said a 31-year-old passenger was taken to Presbyterian Hospital but subsequently declared deceased.
The crash is currently under investigation by the police, and the total number of victims involved, as well as their injuries, remains unknown. Witnesses were asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department with additional information.
Our sincere condolences are with the deceased victim’s family members and loved ones. Our thoughts are with the injured victims in hopes of their full recovery.
Fatalities in Philadelphia Car Accidents
Most people think of fatal automobile accidents as happening at high speeds on the highway. This is not always the case, however. The number of individuals killed in vehicle accidents on ordinary city streets has increased considerably in recent years, according to data undertaken by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia are not safe from this trend, unfortunately. According to the state’s transportation bureau, the tragic statistic of 1,230 individuals dying in traffic accidents throughout Pennsylvania in 2021 is a sad reality for our state. There was a wide variety of incidents that year throughout the state, from minor collisions to catastrophic chain reactions involving dozens or even hundreds of vehicles:
- Motorists colliding with a structure, fixed object, or parked car.
- Angle collisions happen when two moving vehicles collide at an extreme angle (often during a merge or a run of a red light).
- Drivers colliding head-on or from behind in a rear-end wreck.

The increased frequency of vehicle accidents makes becoming a victim a near certainty, even if you consider yourself one of the safest drivers on the road. For this reason, it’s important to know what to do after an accident so that you’re covered legally and financially. To add insult to injury, the insurance company for the negligent driver may try to deny coverage for the policyholder’s long-term care, lost income, and future wages if the policyholder is rendered unable to work due to their injuries.
Thankfully, Spear Greenfield‘s car accident attorneys in Philadelphia will be on your side through thick and thin. If you’ve been in a car accident in Pennsylvania, call us at (215) 600-0681. We’ll put you in touch with a lawyer who’s well-versed in the laws of the Commonwealth and can help you make a strong case in court.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, local and state police incident reports, social media platforms, as well as eyewitness accounts, about serious accidents that take place in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to get in touch with Spear Greenfield Personal Injury Attorneys as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. A post will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information contained in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
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