Shooting leads to wrong way high-speed chase on I-76 in South Philadelphia; 1 person shot in neck
A 27-year-old man in the back of a Ford Explorer was shot in the neck, police said.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 27-year-old man is in critical condition following a shooting and a wrong-way high-speed chase on the Schuylkill Expressway in South Philadelphia.
Police said the incident began at about 2:50 a.m. Wednesday on the 1900 block of Pattison Avenue, near FDR Park. Police found 18 spent shell casings at the scene.
A PennDOT tow truck driver then told police he saw the vehicles involved speeding eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-76 near the Passyunk ramp.
"He not only saw these two vehicles driving eastbound at a high rate of speed, recklessly. They appeared to be chasing each other," commented Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The two vehicles involved, a Ford Explorer and an Infiniti sedan, were then involved in a crash. Both cars spun around and ended up facing the correct direction on I-76, the tow truck driver told police.
A 27-year-old man in the back of the Explorer was shot in the neck, police said.
At least eight bullet holes were seen in the Explorer and the rear windshield was blown out.
The man was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in critical condition. Police said he may be paralyzed by the shooting.
A 32-year-old woman who was driving the SUV stayed at the scene.
A 22-year-old man, who was driving the Infiniti, also remained at the scene. Police said he is now in custody, and that he may be the shooter.
A gun was found on the floorboard of his car, officials say.
The westbound lanes of I-76 were closed at Passyunk Avenue while police investigated the shooting and crash.
It is not yet clear what led to the shooting.
People who frequent FDR Park said they are shocked that a shooting unfolded there in the early hours of the morning.
"It's a pretty safe park, I mean there's a few spots you wouldn't want to hit by yourself or later in the evening, but it's pretty safe," said South Philadelphia resident Vincent Heuilar. "There's a good presence of people here."
The 6abc Data Team determined that crime in and around FDR ParK is up 11% so far this year, compared to this time last year.
A nurse who works overnight says she typically drives home around the same time the high-speed chase was underway.
"I would be driving on 76 going in the direction they were going, so that was kind of scary," said Cassie Totaro from South Philadelphia. "The ones that drive at that time are very fast and not paying attention. It's very dangerous."
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the shooting or the crash is asked to call the police.
RELATED: Check the 6abc Neighborhood Safety Tracker
