Police on Sunday identified the man who they say plowed into a children's birthday party in North Philadelphia.
Authorities said Alton Parker, 54, was high on drugs when he struck three children with a stolen car. After the crash, he swung at an off-duty police officer with an axe, police said.
The crash happened on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Parker allegedly stole a black Volvo station wagon and was speeding the wrong way down N Myrtlewood Street, according to cops. Witnesses said he was waving a hatchet while driving and he was on PCP, police said.
The stolen Volvo hit an inflatable bouncer that was part of a party, while children were still playing inside. Two 9-year-old boys and a 2-year-old girl were hit and injured.
Family members chased after the car and flagged down an off-duty police officer. The officer, driving a white pick-up, pursued Parker until the man crashed the stolen vehicle, cops said.
Authorities said Parker leapt out of the crashed car and lunged at the off-duty officer with the ax. The officer drew his weapon and ordered the man to the ground, and then arrested him, cops said.
One of the 9-year-old boys remains hospitalized with serious head injuries. The two other children were not injured as seriously, and were treated and released.
Parker, who lives on the 2800 block of Lehigh Avenue, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, drug charges and related offenses.
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