A woman was arrested early Sunday morning under suspicion of DUI in connection with an accident that critically injured two pedestrians in the Darby Borough area of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The two victims have not been specifically identified; however, officers have confirmed they are a man and woman from the area. The victims are under the care of doctors at the University of Pennsylvania, still in critical condition, with unnamed severe injuries.
The driver, 27-year-old Tanisha Thomas, remains in the Delaware County prison in lieu of 10 percent payment of a $20,000 bond, or $2,000 cash bond. The accident, one of worst to occur in the Philadelphia area neighborhood according to police, occurred just after midnight as the couple crossed MacDade Blvd. near the Crab Tavern.
Thomas failed to yield to the pedestrians, striking them at a high rate of speed, and throwing them as far as 50 feet through the air according to witness reports. Some evidence at the scene, including a wig found about 40 feet away from the female's body, confirms suspicion the accident occurred at a very high speed. Investigators believe Thomas ran over the female victim a second time after initially striking her with the vehicle.
Thomas came to a stop only after striking an SUV, which had two passengers inside who were uninjured. A passenger in Thomas's car fled the scene on foot. She has not spoked with police at this point. However, it is not illegal to flee the scene of an accident as a pedestrian. Therefore, this woman is not wanted on any charges.
Thomas's car and the SUV she struck were both totaled. Among the speculation surrounding the case are reports that Thomas intentionally targeted the two victims. These rumors are yet unsubstantiated, but police are taking the allegations seriously in the investigation.
Neither victim has been able to speak since the time of the crash. Hospital staff says both are likely to survive though the recovery could be extended. If either victim should suffer permanent injury or death, additional charges can and will likely be levied against Thomas.
At this point, she has been charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving. It is unclear whether she intends to stay in jail until her March 17 hearing. She may remain in jail until a trial takes place; in that case, if she were to be convicted of the charges against her, Thomas may be given credit for the time already served in jail.
