How police say drag racing killed a man in Philadelphia, and why a Levittown teen is charged

Update: Joseph Vannauker was arraigned early Wednesday in Philadelphia on the following charges: Murder, accidents involving death or injury, homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment, reckless driving. His bail in that case was set at 10% of $1 million. He was also arraigned on separate charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment related to injuries suffered by Vannauker's 16-year-old passenger. Bail in that case was set at 10% of $100,000. Philadelphia police said Wednesday they have not yet identified the victim.

A 19-year-old Levittown man is accused of striking and killing a man while drag racing in Northeast Philadelphia shortly after midnight Tuesday.

Philadelphia police have charged Joseph Vannauker with homicide by vehicle, murder and reckless driving.

Police allege Vannauker was racing on Castor Avenue with another vehicle when he struck a man as he walked across Aramingo Street. The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

After striking the man, police said that Vannauker allegedly sped off toward Richmond Avenue and continued over the Betsy Ross Bridge into Pennsauken, where police there detained him and a 16-year-old passenger.

They were brought back to Philadelphia and police confiscated the 2020 Dodge Charger Vannauker was driving for further investigation.

The passenger in the car injured his right hand and forearm and he was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital for treatment and later released into the custody of his parents.

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Levittown teen charged in fatal drag racing hit-and-run in Philadelphia