Mother, 3 sons killed crossing Philly road; 1 hurt

7/17/2013

PHILADELPHIA  — Police have identified the mother killed along with three young sons while crossing a Philadelphia highway that’s notorious for pedestrian deaths.

Police say 28-year-old Samara Selena Banks and her boys were killed by a speeding driver who may have been drag racing Tuesday night.

Banks and her 23-month-old son died at the scene, while her 4-year-old and 7-month-old sons died later at hospitals.

Authorities say her 5-year-old surviving child is in stable condition with bumps and bruises.

Police say the 22-year-old driver of the 2012 Audi was taken in for questioning. No arrests have been made, but police say charges are pending.

Roosevelt Boulevard divides several neighborhoods in north and northeast Philadelphia. The pedestrian deaths have prompted city officials to call for more crosswalks and speed patrols.