Popular And Successful Philadelphia High School Teenager Killed By Runaway Car After Receiving Rave Reviews On Her Senior Project
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family Madina Sem, a Fels High School student who had completed her senior project in art therapy to rave reviews and then was tragically struck by an out of control vehicle that ran up on the highway and struck her as she was making her way home from school. Madina Sem, who was one of eight sisters born to Cambodian immigrants, was described as a beautiful young lovely lady. She was a mentor to other teens and helped them all through troubled times. According to news reports, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Ms. Medina got off the bus on Olney Avenue and 2nd Street and had just rounded the corner north on 2nd when she was struck by an out of control car that ran onto the sidewalk. As she lay bleeding on the sidewalk, her sister Melina Sem, 19, ran to the scene and stated that Madina was crying and asked what had happened to her. According to Philadelphia police, Ms. Sem was hit by a car that was struck by another vehicle in a Philadelphia car accident at the intersection suffering multiple fractures and head trauma. She was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center where her family was informed that she needed immediate surgery to reduce brain swelling. However, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the doctors informed the family that she “did not make it”. News sources reveal that the motorists were also taken to Einstein for treatment of minor injuries and no charges have been filed as the police investigation continues.
My heart and prayers go out to the family of Madina Sem and we ask that our readers keep her and the family in their prayers. Although the initial investigation and news reports did not offer much information on how or why this horrific car accident occurred, it will be important to determine if one or more of the drivers violated the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code and any other applicable statutes governing this situation. I trust that the investigators in this case are also looking to be involved with factors such as impairment, distraction, fatigue, excessive speed, recklessness, driving while on a cell phone, or mechanical failure. The driver or drivers who were determined to have been at fault in this accident could possibly face criminal charges, as well as be held civilly responsible for the injuries and losses sustained by the other victims depending on what the investigation reveals. In such cases where multiple vehicles and catastrophic injury or death occurs, it is in the family’s and victim’s best interests to contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer to assist them and stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that the victim’s legal rights and best interests are protected. The best Philadelphia personal injury and car accident lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to the family and survivors. It is important that the family work with an experienced lawyer and investigator to analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable. A skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to the collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. It is important to remember that any such claim against a governmental agency in Pennsylvania must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
