by Alex Lloyd Gross
As police were disbursing an illegal car meet on 8600 Bustleton Ave, Friday night, one vehicle, a 2020 gray Nissan Altima caught the eye of officers. It had recently been reported stolen from Lower Moreland Twp. As officers tried to stop the car, the driver pulled away and drove on the Roosevelt Boulevard. The driver jumped the median and then crashed into a police car and another car at C and Roosevelt Boulevard, police said.
Officers followed the car to 9th Street and West Erie Avenue, where it caused a Gold Chevy Equinox to hit an unmarked police vehicle, causing the unmarked vehicle to then strike a light pole and catch fire.
The driver of the stolen vehicle did not stop and remains at large.
Two people were injured in the crash, including a Philadelphia police officer who was transported to Temple University Hospital with facial fractures and lacerations. The officer has since been released. The other injured individual was a civilian driver who was also taken to Temple University Hospital in stable condition.
The Philadelphia Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident and is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the driver of the stolen vehicle and the stolen auto. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477).