Identity of Woman Hit by Car in Philadelphia Remains Unknown

Investigators turn to forensic genealogy in hopes of identifying the victim a year after the incident.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:25pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a hospital wristband or other medical equipment, capturing the stark, gritty details of the object in a dramatic, investigative style without any text or identifying information.A year after a mysterious hit-and-run incident, the identity of the critically injured victim remains unknown, highlighting the challenges of reconnecting the unidentified with their loved ones.Philadelphia Today

A woman who was critically injured after being struck by a car on Broad Street in Philadelphia last year remains unidentified, despite efforts by investigators to determine her identity. The woman, believed to be in her 30s or 40s, was found with no identification and has been unable to communicate. Authorities are now turning to a forensic genealogist to analyze her DNA in the hopes of finding her family and learning her identity.

Why it matters

The inability to identify the victim in this case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and medical professionals when dealing with unidentified individuals. Knowing a person's identity is crucial for providing proper care and treatment, as well as reuniting them with their loved ones. This story also raises questions about the resources available for identifying unknown individuals and the importance of maintaining comprehensive missing persons databases.

The details

On May 18, 2025, the woman was struck by a car while standing in the middle of Broad Street, near Wyoming Avenue in Philadelphia. The driver stopped and was never charged. The woman, who is believed to be in her 30s or 40s, was found with no identification, only a receipt from Acme. She has brown hair with some gray streaks and a few tattoos, including one that looks like flowers on her shoulder. The woman suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her leg, and is currently being treated at Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where she is conscious but unable to communicate.

  • The incident occurred on May 18, 2025.
  • It has been over a year since the woman was struck by the car.

The players

Capt. Stephen Clark

An officer with the Crash Investigation Division of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Bill Fleisher

An investigator with the Keystone Intelligence Network, who is working with the Philadelphia Police Department and Jefferson Einstein Hospital to identify the woman.

Jefferson Einstein Hospital

The hospital where the unidentified woman is currently being treated.

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What they’re saying

“She's conscious, she is able to open her eyes, but she's unable to communicate in any way.”

— Capt. Stephen Clark, Crash Investigation Division, Philadelphia Police Department

“She may look a little thinner because she was severely injured. She lost her leg; it had to be amputated. And the fact that she is not moving around, there may be some swelling in her facial features that haven't subsided.”

— Bill Fleisher, Investigator, Keystone Intelligence Network

“Somewhere, somebody knows who she is. It is another sad story of a poor woman, maybe homeless, unidentified, [who] deserves people who care about her. And they care very much for her at the hospital … but there is a family somewhere, and we would like to reconnect her with her family.”

— Bill Fleisher, Investigator, Keystone Intelligence Network

What’s next

Investigators are using a forensic genealogist to analyze the woman's DNA in the hopes of determining her identity and locating her family. They have also reached out to police departments in various states to see if she matches any of their missing persons reports, but so far, no matches have been found.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and medical professionals when dealing with unidentified individuals, and the importance of having robust systems in place to help reunite victims with their loved ones. It also underscores the need for increased resources and coordination between different agencies to ensure that no one falls through the cracks.