3 nurses injured in hit-and-run outside of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The search is on for a hit-and-run driver who struck three nurses outside of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in University City.

Philadelphia police say it happened around 4:22 a.m. Saturday morning when the driver of a silver Jeep Cherokee was dropping off a shooting victim outside of the hospital's emergency department.

The driver is believed to be a male, possibly in his early 20s, according to police.

The nurses were rushing to the aid of the shooting victim when the driver of the Jeep fled the hospital, striking the nurses.

Penn Medicine says one nurse is hospitalized in critical condition. Two others received treatment for their injuries.

According to Philadelphia police, the nurse in critical condition is a 36-year-old male who suffered facial injuries and internal bleeding. The two others -- a 37-year-old man and a 51-year-old man -- are both listed in stable condition.

Staff at Penn Medicine say this event has shaken them.

"It's absolutely devastating. This event is just such a clear reminder of the horrible impacts of gun violence in our community and the risks our staff take every day on the frontlines," said Nicole Hoke, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's chief nursing officer. "Our staff are heroes."

Now, Hoke says she is pleading for safety as this violence impacts the staff and their mission.

"It halts us when we're injured and we're really just trying to provide the care that's so needed for the sick patients," she said.

The shooting victim is a 28-year-old male who was shot multiple times. Police say he may have also suffered a head injury as the driver fled the scene.

The shooting happened on the 1300 block of Belmont Ave in the Parkside section of the city, according to police.

Police placed at least 15 evidence markers down at the scene.

Hours after the hit-and-run, investigators say Upper Darby Police located the jeep on the 6800 block of Walnut Park Drive.

Philadelphia police later towed the vehicle away.

Sources told Action News the car was a rental due back in August.

As investigators continue to search for the driver in this incident, Hoke told Action News that the nurses at Penn Medicine will continue their duties.

"We're a big family at Penn Medicine and especially Penn Presbyterian ED. The culture there, they rally with each other and they're going to continue to support everyone and provide the care and keep the doors open like they do," she said.

Officials with the hospital say support is available for the nurses, the injured nurses' families, and staff.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the crash is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Full statement from Penn Medicine below:

"Early this morning, a vehicle arrived at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's emergency department and dropped off an individual who had been shot. Three Penn Presbyterian nurses rushed to the patient's aid and were struck by the driver as they fled. One nurse is hospitalized in critical condition and two others also received treatment for injuries. In a workplace where teams are devoted to caring for others, this incident is devastating to our staff, and is a reminder of the tragic, far-reaching toll of gun violence on entire communities. Violence against healthcare workers harms us all, and is a corrosive, unacceptable threat which our staff must cope with on a daily basis. Our heroic staff continued working to save the gunshot victim and care for all our other patients even as their own colleagues were suffering and being treated. We are providing support resources for them and the injured nurses' families, and fully cooperating with the Philadelphia Police as they investigate."