CHOP doctor struck, killed by car while riding her bike near Rittenhouse Square

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One bicyclist and two pedestrians were hit by cars in just a matter of hours Wednesday night in Philadelphia, leaving two of the victims dead.

Around 7 p.m. near Rittenhouse Square, police said a 30-year-old bicyclist was in the bike lane on Spruce Street, near 18th Street, when she was hit from behind by a speeding driver.

Officials said the driver hit the poles that divide the bike lane from vehicle traffic, then slammed into several parked cars. The impact sent the woman about 20 feet.

The victim was wearing a helmet, but that wasn’t enough. She suffered severe head trauma and died at the hospital.

Police said a 68-year-old man was driving the Volkswagen that hit her. They were not sure if he was suffering a medical emergency or if he was under the influence.

The victim’s family identified her as Barbara Friedes, a third-year oncology resident at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Around the same time in Kensington, police said a driver hit a man who was standing at the corner of Frankford and East Allegheny avenues. The victim died. The driver stayed at the scene, officials said.

Before those deadly crashes, there was another incident in East Germantown. Around 4:30 p.m., investigators said the driver of a Cadillac hit a 26-year-old woman who was crossing the street. The victim is in critical condition.

Police said the driver sped off, but they found her shortly thereafter and arrested her.