A Levittown man is facing charges after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian during a drag race in Philadelphia early Tuesday morning.
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Authorities have charged 19-year-old Joseph Vannauker with homicide by vehicle, murder, and reckless driving, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Authorities assert that Vannauker was competing against another driver on Castor Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia when he hit a male pedestrian crossing Aramingo Street, police said.
The unidentified man was declared dead shortly after being struck, according to police.
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After the collision, Vannauker is said to have driven towards Richmond Avenue. He eventually crossed the Betsy Ross Bridge into Pennsauken, New Jersey. Police in New Jersey apprehended him along with a 16-year-old passenger.
Following the crash, Vannauker and the 2020 Dodge Charger he drove were brought to Philadelphia for further investigation, authorities said.
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The teen passenger, who sustained injuries to his right hand and forearm, received medical attention at St. Christopher’s Hospital in the city.
The passenger was later handed over to his parents’ custody.
DelawareValleyNews.com reported last year that Vannauker was arrested by a local and federal law enforcement task force for an alleged riot related to illegal drag racing.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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