Victims with ties to Mummers killed in South Philly head-on crash; stabbed driver faces charges
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Mummers community is mourning the loss of some of its members after a driver who apparently stabbed himself crashed head-on into another vehicle in South Philadelphia, leaving three people dead.
The striking driver survived.
RELATED: 'Rambling' note found in striking vehicle
The two-vehicle crash happened around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday at 7th Street and Packer Avenue.
Police say a 2014 Audi A4 and a 2015 Acura RDX were headed in opposite directions on Packer.
They say the driver of the Audi veered into opposing traffic and crashed into the Acura. Four people were in the Acura at the time; three were killed.
Those who died have been identified as 36-year-old Joseph Ferry of Philadelphia, 35-year-old Kelly Wiseley of Glenolden, Pa., and 31-year-old Dennis Palandro of Morton, Pa.
Ferry and Wiseley had just gotten engaged at Christmas.
Palandro's wife, Nicole, was also in the car.
She is in critical condition with a broken pelvis but is expected to survive.
"There's no good way coming out of this. She's got to wake up, and her husband passing," said neighbor Sam Kobielink Jr. "My prayers go with them."
The driver of the striking vehicle has been identified as 29-year-old Keith Campbell of Bear, Delaware. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition with multiple stab wounds.
Police say it appears at this time Campbell stabbed himself. A knife with a 10-inch blade was found in Campbell's vehicle. They also say they found a note - described as rambling, but have not determined if it was a suicide note.
Police are looking to charge Campbell with four counts of accidents involving death or bodily injury.
Authorities are serving a search warrant on Campbell's vehicle and further charges could be filed, police say.
They have not been able to speak with him as of this time.
Wiseley's neighbors were in disbelief.
"I'll never be able to walk out my front door and look over there. Saying a prayer for her," said Maryellen Eisenhart.
Palandro's father is a captain of the string band. Black bunting was hung at the clubhouse at 28th and Porter.
"I don't know what to say to his father right now," said Mike Inemer. "I'm at a loss for words, it's so sad."
In a statement late Wednesday morning, the South Philly String Band said:
On behalf of the officers and members of the South Philadelphia String Band, we are deeply saddened at the loss of our family members.
We ask you to keep all families in your thoughts and prayers.
While the Mummers community is a close knit family, we ask for privacy for the families and our organization during this difficult time.
The South Philadelphia String Band family will be making no further comment.
Campbell remains hospitalized in critical condition.
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