What to Know
- A 44-year-old man is in custody after he allegedly crashed into six people with his vehicle on purpose in North Philadelphia Tuesday.
- The crash occurred during a massive brawl on 16th Street and Lehigh Avenue.
- NBC10 obtained surveillance video of the incident. One of the victims remains in critical condition.
Six people were injured and a driver is in custody after he intentionally drove into a group of people following a massive fight in North Philadelphia, police said.
The ordeal began with a brawl on 16th Street and Lehigh Avenue around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to investigators.
"Probably 50 to 75 people, all crowded around," Jess Nace, a witness, told NBC10. "Everyone was everywhere. Everyone was just screaming and fighting."
A man, identified by friends as 37-year-old George Gilmore, tried to stop the fight, according to witnesses.
"Someone was walking up with a knife and Georgie was letting him know, 'You know, listen guys, don't do that, you don't want this kind of life,'" Fatima Martin told NBC10.
As Gilmore tried to break it up, a gold Buick driving the wrong way down the street suddenly barreled into him, along with Martin and four other people.
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"I tried to get out of the way but it tagged me and after that I just seen black," Rahim Watson, another victim, told NBC10.
NBC10 obtained surveillance video showing the car drag Gilmore and another victim on the street before driving off. The other victim gets up while Gilmore lies on the ground, unconscious.
"When he turned around the car actually knocked him up under the car," Terry Starks, of the Express Yourself Urban Crisis Center, said. "Next thing you know, our friend is laying on the ground with half of his face off him."
Police say the driver of the Buick, a 44-year-old man, crashed into the group on purpose. Several witnesses checked on Gilmore. Others attacked the driver.
"People in the neighborhood pulled the 44-year-old driver out of the vehicle and assaulted him for striking these individuals," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
Gilmore remains in critical condition after suffering a head injury and trauma to the body. Martin and Watson were both treated and released from the hospital. The other three victims, a 17-year-old girl, 19-year-old girl and 42-year-old man are all in stable condition.
The 44-year-old driver also suffered head and facial injuries. He was taken into custody at Hahnemann Hospital. Police have not yet revealed his identity or a motive. They say the driver may be related to someone who was involved in the street fight however.
