Officer fires while being pinned by car after pursuit in Delaware County; passenger killed
RADNOR TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A woman is dead and a man is injured after a police pursuit and officer-involved shooting in Delaware County on Wednesday night.
Investigators have identified the driver who led police on the chase and then pinned an officer with his white Nissan Altima as 27-year-old Jerry Long of Devon, Pa.
The incident began around 11 p.m. Wednesday near Brookside and Ashley roads in Newtown Township.
"The vehicle initially stopped. When the officer exited his vehicle, the vehicle fled the scene," explained Captain John Newell from Newtown Police Department.
Police say Long took off down West Chester Pike and then Bryn Mawr Avenue.
Investigators say at some point one of the tires of Long's vehicle fell off and police got him to pull over in the 800 block of Bryn Mawr Avenue in Radnor Twp.
"The officer exited his vehicle and at that point, the suspect vehicle lurched forward," said Newell.
Police say Long pinned the officer between the Altima and police car.
That's when the officer pulled out his gun and started to shoot. The 28-year-old female passenger died and Long was hurt.
The officer was treated and released from Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Radnor Township police told Action News its officers pulled over the same car Friday night for a traffic violation and the driver sped off.
Investigators also believe the vehicle may tie back to other thefts or burglaries in the county.
"There's no truly safe place anymore. There's no boundary line that crime doesn't cross anymore," said John Brooks from West Chester.
Neighbors nearby were shocked by the shooting.
"I seen some of the stuff in the inner city but out here it's kind of cool and you get good vibes," said Marco Van who lives in Newtown Square.
An affidavit stated Long had two outstanding warrants against him for probation violation in Delaware and a marijuana charge in Chester County.
He's being held on $1 million cash bail.
The Delaware County district attorney's office is investigating.
