Vehicle that crashed into Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park was reported stolen: Police
Once it was taken out of the river, police said the plates matched a vehicle reported stolen on February 5 at around 1 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A person driving a stolen car lost control and crashed into the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park.
It happened around 6 a.m. Monday along Kelly Drive near Fountain Green Drive.
Chopper 6 over the scene showed the 2020 Hyundai Tucson partially in the river.
A tow truck arrived at the scene to remove the vehicle.
Once it was taken out of the river, police determined the plates matched a vehicle that was reported stolen on Sunday at about 1 a.m.
Spring Garden resident Amelia Dougherty had just woken up and was about to walk her dog when she was stopped by a police officer on Monday morning.
"He said, 'Did you fill out a police report about a stolen car?' and I said no, and the police officer said 'Well, it's in the river,'" said Dougherty.
Officers broke the back windshield to see if someone was stuck inside, but the car was empty and partially submerged.
"Both of the front windows were gone so whoever had stolen it, they were gone," said Dougherty.
The Action News Data Journalism team found the rate of motor vehicle thefts more than quadrupled from 2021 to 2022. There are already nearly 1,500 vehicle thefts so far in 2023.
Specifically this year, Hyundais and Kias are being targeted. According to the data, 820 of these vehicles have been stolen, making up 57% of all city vehicle thefts so far. That's compared to just 8% two years ago.
Police say part of the reason why is the cars can be started without using keys.
"I hope they're OK because that was a really gnarly crash," said Dougherty.
The incident remains under investigation.
Police are urging Kia and Hyundai owners to take extra precautions, like getting a steering wheel lock, an after-market car alarm, or putting a tracking device in their vehicle.
RELATED: Check the 6abc Neighborhood Safety Tracker
