Police: Drag racing to blame for deadly Roosevelt Boulevard crash

The death toll rose overnight in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Roosevelt Boulevard. Credit: Metro file photo

As the death toll in Tuesday night’s fatal crash on Roosevelt Boulevard grew to four people Wednesday morning, Philadelphia police pinned drag racing as the cause of the tragedy.

Investigators said Samara Selena Banks, 28, was crossing Roosevelt Boulevard at Rockland Street with her four young sons shortly before 10:30 p.m.

A driver behind the wheel of a 2012 Audi allegedly came speeding south on the Boulevard from Front Street and lost control of the vehicle, striking Banks and all four of her children.

The Audi was observed by a witness drag racing with a 1994 Honda just before the crash, according to authorities.

Banks, of the 4600 block of C Street in Feltonville, and her 23-month-old son, whose identity is not yet being released, both died on the scene.

Police said Banks’ 7-month-old son, Saamir Williams, was pronounced dead a short time later at Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Banks’ 4-year-old son, whose identity is not yet being released, died at 4:45 a.m. at Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, according to police.

A fourth child, 5, remained in stable condition Wednesday at Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was being treated for bumps and bruises.

Police said charges in connection with the incident were pending Wednesday morning.