What to Know
- An alleged armed robbery ended with a fiery crash that left a woman sitting on the steps of a North Philadelphia church seriously injured.
- Police said the driver of a gray Honda was trying to evade officers when he ran a red light, causing a crash in front of a church.
- The 25-year-old woman was crushed by the car and had to be dragged away from the steps when the vehicle ignited.
A woman sitting on the steps of a North Philadelphia church suffered serious injuries to her legs when a driver being sought by police crashed his sedan into her.
Police were searching for the gray Honda and its driver in connection with an armed robbery along North Seventh Street near Berks about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Highway patrol officers spotted the car a short time later and began pursuit.
Police said they lost sight of the car after it sped onto North Broad Street. Within moments, there was a crash at the intersection with Allegheny Avenue.
The driver ran a red light at the intersection and collided with two other vehicles, police said. The impact caused the suspect's car to jump the curb and run onto the steps of the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The 25-year-old woman was sitting on those steps. Her legs were crushed by the car.
The car's engine then ignited following the crash. Paramedics took her to nearby Temple University Hospital where she was last listed in critical condition.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
The aftermath of the crash was caught on video by witnesses. It resembles a Hollywood movie shoot with police struggling with suspects, a car burning and victims being dragged from the scene.
Two other men were inside the Honda at the time of the crash. One was pulled out of the burning car through a window, video shows.
All three men from the Honda were taken to the hospital. The SUV driver was checked out at the hospital, police said.
Philadelphia Police Inspector Ray Evers said officers found a gun inside the Honda which matched the description of the weapon used in the initial robbery.
The robbery victim told police four men pulled a gun on her and demanded all of her belongings. They took her wallet, laptop and cash, police said. Evers said investigators were going through the burned out car looking for those belongings.
Three of the four suspects were arrested following the crash. Police expected to charge the men with robbery and related offenses.
