Hit-and-run driver targets Philadelphia police officers in Juniata Park
JUNIATA PARK (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who barreled through a crime scene, nearly striking officers and damaged police property.
It happened at 2:30 a.m. Monday at East Erie Avenue and I Street in Juniata Park.
Officers were on the scene investigating a carjacking involving a red Chrysler Sebring, in which the owner was injured by the perpetrators.
"I got pistol whipped on my head with a gun," Daniel Diaz told Action News.
Police had caught up with the Chrysler, made arrests and recovered a gun.
As officers surrounded the car, a speeding black Nissan sedan came barreling toward them, going at least 60 m.p.h.
The officers jumped out of the way, but the driver slammed into three parked Philadelphia Police bicycles, driving right over them.
One of the bikes was thrown into a police cruiser.
The carjacking victim and his girlfriend had been on the scene to identify the suspects but didn't see the Nissan. Still, they said, the scene was hard to miss.
"There was like 80 cop cars out here," said Janitza Lopez. "People saw what was going on. No reason (anyone) should have been speeding around here."
Police say the Nissan drove right between the Chrysler and marked police vehicles that had their overhead lights on. The driver sped away.
"During the course of a taking gun off the street and arresting carjackers, they had to deal with people and were confronted by vehicle in an apparent attempt to strike them down," said Philadelphia Police Capt. Drew Techner.
Police are looking for a black Nissan, possibly an Altima, with tinted windows.
Investigators were checking surveillance video in the area as they work to track down the suspect.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Philadelphia Police by dialing 911.
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