Deadly crash involving Montco sheriff's deputy in Norristown
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police say a car filled with five suspects collided with an off-duty Montgomery County deputy in Norristown.
One of the suspects died and surveillance video shows others being taken away in handcuffs.
The crash happened at 5:30 a.m. Thursday on West Main Street near Forrest Avenue.
Stacy Angelo was just starting her work day at Alfredo's Pizza when she saw the violent crash.
"I saw a car coming through the intersection and the SUV, they interlocked. They hit and they spun out of control," Angelo said.
Authorities say police were called for a report of suspicious activity when a light colored Hyundai sedan sped away.
Police say the vehicle ran a red light at Main and Hamilton streets and collided with a black Chevy Suburban.
Both ended up on the lawn of Charles L. Moles Real Estate.
"I was sound asleep," said area resident Charles Zimmerman. "I heard this horrific crash."
Angelo said she ran to the driver of the black Suburban.
"I ran up to him and said, "Are you OK?" And when I got to him, I saw the bulletproof vest. I said, 'Oh my gosh, you're a cop.' He said, 'No, I'm a sheriff. Call 911.'"
Authorities say that driver was an off-duty Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy on his way to work in his personal vehicle.
Surveillance video from the real estate office shows debris flying from the impact onto the lawn and then shows one person being taken away by police.
Later, a person can be seen being taken away on a stretcher.
"They took the guy out of the SUV, put him on stretcher, then took him away in an ambulance," said Zimmerman. "But the other guy, they just threw a sheet over him."
Authorities say four people in the sedan were hospitalized.
Investigators worked into the afternoon reconstructing the crash.
A gray safe was also removed from the car and wrapped up to be taken into evidence.
Neighbors watched as the police worked.
"Been out here for almost two hours and seeing the reconstruction and seeing all the glass and the hood across the lawn, it's just really sad," resident Chantel Brown said.
Authorities have not released the victim's name. The sheriff's deputy was treated and released from the hospital.
Officials say it's too early in the investigation to determine if any charges will be filed.
Authorities say police were not chasing the car at the time of the crash.
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