Mother killed in wrong-way crash on Roosevelt Boulevard

RHAWNHURST - September 29, 2013 (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police say a car, being driven the wrong way on the Roosevelt Boulevard, hit a family's minivan head-on, killing the mom.

The crash happened around 2:40 a.m. Sunday morning just south of Shelmire Avenue in the Rhawnhurst section.

The woman was identified by family as 36-year-old Althea Taylor, a mother of five.

Everton Taylor explained exactly how he felt about his wife of 10 years.

"She's the best. She's the best. I don't even know how to explain," said Taylor.

Taylor was driving back home from New York with Althea and their 3-year-old daughter, when he says he spotted a Buick coming around the curve fast.

"When it got closer it was coming toward us, I was trying to dodge it and then it just slammed into us and that was it," said Taylor.

Taylor jumped out the van, grabbed their daughter and got her to safety.

As Althea screamed for help, he held her hand to try to keep her calm until firefighters were finally able to rescue her.

Althea was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center where she died from her injuries.

The news spread quickly to family and friends

"Oh God, you know I passed out when I hear, I passed out," said Thelma Taylor, mother-in-law.

"The Boulevard is very dangerous. It's a not the first accident like that. I've seen accidents like that and it won't be the last. Something is going to have to be done about the Boulevard," said Shawn Morgan, friend.

Police say the 23-year-old driver of the Buick and her 24-year-old passenger were also injured.

Taylor says he wants answers but right now he's focused on remembering the woman he calls an amazing mother.

"Nobody could be compared to her. She's just the best, simply the best, simply the best," said Taylor. Meanwhile no charges have been filed as the investigation into this crash continues.

Get more Local/State »

philadelphia news, accident, local/state

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•