Zi-Yonnie Talley remains stable after the North Philadelphia crash as her mother calls for additional speed cameras near the scene.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — A 9-year-old girl who was preparing to return to school is instead recovering from serious injuries after a hit-and-run on Germantown Avenue, while her mother is calling for stronger traffic enforcement near the site of the crash.
Zi-Yonnie Talley was struck around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday near Germantown Avenue and Westmoreland Street in North Philadelphia. Police said a northbound vehicle hit the girl and fled. Zi-Yonnie was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital, where she was reported in stable condition as investigators searched for the driver.
Her mother, Shanae Talley, said Zi-Yonnie suffered a broken leg and bleeding near her kidneys. Although the child was stable, Talley said her daughter remained in considerable pain following the collision. The family had expected Zi-Yonnie to begin school Monday, but those plans changed because of her injuries.
The crash happened only yards from the girl’s school, according to her mother. Talley said Zi-Yonnie will begin the school year through online learning while she recovers, turning what had been an ordinary return to classes into a period of medical recovery at home.
Talley said her daughter had been standing near the corner with her younger brother, older sister and friends shortly before the collision. She told 6abc that the vehicle appeared to be swerving as it traveled along Germantown Avenue before striking Zi-Yonnie and a pole. Police have not publicly confirmed that description of the vehicle’s movement.
The mother returned to the area Wednesday after leaving the hospital and called for additional speed cameras along the block. She pointed to automated enforcement used on Broad Street as an example of what she would like to see on Germantown Avenue. No official announcement has been made about adding cameras at the location.
Her request comes as police continue investigating the circumstances of the crash. Authorities have said the vehicle was headed north on Germantown Avenue, but they had not released identifying details such as a make, model, color or license plate. Police also had not announced whether speed contributed to the collision.
Investigators were searching for surveillance video and witnesses who could help identify the driver. With no public vehicle description available, video from homes, businesses or other cameras along the corridor could become important to the investigation if footage of the vehicle exists.
The case remains unresolved as Zi-Yonnie recovers and prepares for an altered start to the school year. Police continued seeking information about the hit-and-run Thursday, and no arrest had been reported.
Author note: Last updated August 20, 2026.