A Philadelphia mother and her daughter to whom she was giving driving lessons in a public parking lot are each facing many charges after the teenager is suspected of causing the death of two homeless men who were sitting in the area.
32-year-old Stephanie Hernandez and her 15-year-old daughter went out together in the evening on June 4 in a Ford Explorer that Hernandez was purportedly using to give the teen a chance to practice driving.
The mother and daughter chose a Dollar Tree parking lot in the northeast part of town in which to work on preparing the girl for driving on the road when she received her driver’s license.
Two homeless men, ages 54 and 55, were sitting near the wall of the store in a parking space when they were allegedly hit by the Explorer when it unexpectedly jerked forward and crushed them up against the building. It was reported that they were trying to help navigate the vehicle into the spot when the vehicle made the impact with them.
The younger man was proclaimed deceased at the scene, and the 55-year-old victim was transported to Hahnemann University Hospital where they tried to provide medical intervention, but he did not survive.
Hernandez was taken into custody and she is facing homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and other related charges, and her daughter has been charged with homicide by vehicle, accident-death-no license, and involuntary manslaughter.
A Philadelphia police Captain released a statement indicating that they believe that it is likely the automobile did have a malfunction causing the men to get pinned against the wall and that it was likely a mistake.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a driving offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.