Two cars collide in a fatal car accident in Northeast Philadelphia. A newlywed couple in a grey Kia was hit by a driver in a red Chevrolet, causing the two vehicles to spin out of control and into the front yard of a house. The couple died at the scene of the accident, Thursday, April 26, 2012, Philadelphia, Pa. (Maria Pouchnikova)
A suspected drunken driver is facing murder charges after he allegedly caused a crash that claimed the lives of two people on Thursday morning in Tacony.
George Vidra, 26, of the 7800 block of Lorna Drive in Rhawnhurst, is also charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving under the influence and related offenses. Philadelphia police have not said what levels of alcohol and/or drugs were in Vidra’s system.
Police have not released the names of the victims, a 26-year-old female motorist and her 31-year-old male passenger.
The crash occurred at 8:22 a.m. Vidra was driving a 2012 Chevy Camaro eastbound on Disston Street when he disregarded a stop sign at Ditman Street and collided with the driver-side door of a northbound 2004 Kia occupied by the two victims, police said.
The Kia caught on fire, trapping both victims.
According to news reports, witnesses fought the flames and attempted to administer CPR to at least one of the victims, but both died at the scene.
Police reported no injuries to Vidra. He was hospitalized for minor injuries and a blood test, according to an NBC10 report.
Vidra was imprisoned with bail set at $250,000, then released after posting 10 percent of bail on April 30. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 16. ••
