Man killed in high-speed crash in Philadelphia's Torresdale neighborhood

Police say the man was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed when he crashed into several parked cars

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A man has died following a high-speed crash in Philadelphia's Torresdale neighborhood in the early hours of Friday morning, according to police. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle crashed into several parked cars on the 9400 block of Frankford Avenue, near Pearson Avenue, just before 1 a.m.

Why it matters

High-speed crashes can have devastating consequences for both the driver and any bystanders, and this incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and enforcement in Philadelphia's neighborhoods.

The details

Police say the force of the crash was so strong that the vehicle's engine was launched into the middle of the roadway and the man in the car was thrown to the rear of the vehicle. Frankford Avenue is closed at the crash scene and Philadelphia Gas Works was called to the area after a strong odor of gas was reported following the crash. The cause remains under investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Unit.

  • The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Christopher Bradshaw

Philadelphia Police Captain who provided details about the crash.

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What they’re saying

“Bradshaw called it one of the worst crashes he's seen in his career.”

— Christopher Bradshaw, Philadelphia Police Captain (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Investigators are continuing to comb through the scene and gather evidence to determine the exact cause of the high-speed crash.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for increased road safety measures and enforcement in Philadelphia's neighborhoods to prevent such devastating crashes in the future.