Court records or official announcements from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office

Philadelphia DA Charges Michael Vahey with Vehicular Homicide, DUI in Death of CHOP Doctor

Jul 25, 2024, 03:02 PM

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced a significant development in the investigation into the vehicular death of Dr. Barbara Friedes, which occurred on July 17, 2024. Dr. Friedes, a 30-year-old oncology resident at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), was fatally struck while riding her bike in a designated bike lane in Rittenhouse Square, Center City. The driver, 68-year-old Michael Vahey, has been charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide by DUI, reckless driving, and DUI. Authorities revealed that Vahey's blood alcohol content (BAC) was nearly 0.16, twice the legal limit, at the time of the crash. The charges were announced after new information became available, allowing for Vahey's arrest.