Multiple callers dialed 911 on Tuesday to report a man hurling bricks at cars along the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) in the Fairmount Park section of Philadelphia, prompting a quick response from law enforcement. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police headed to the scene and checked the affected stretch of highway. Authorities released few details about the suspect and, as of Tuesday, had not reported any injuries or arrests.
According to CBS News Philadelphia, police were called to the Fairmount Park area after receiving reports that someone was throwing bricks at vehicles on I-76, and the station aired video showing officers at the scene. The outlet reported that it was not immediately clear whether any cars had actually been hit or whether anyone had been taken into custody.
Similar Schuylkill Scares This Year
This is not the first time flying debris has turned the Schuylkill Expressway into a danger zone this year. In January, a brick smashed through a SEPTA bus windshield on I-76, disabling the bus while transit police investigated, NBC10 Philadelphia reported. That incident, which happened near the Girard Avenue and Philadelphia Zoo exit, left the bus operator uninjured but highlighted just how vulnerable motorists and transit workers can be when objects are thrown onto a busy highway.
How Drivers Should Respond
Safety experts say that if you spot someone on the highway shoulder behaving suspiciously or notice objects that appear to have been thrown, the best move is to keep your distance, avoid any face-to-face confrontation, and get to a safe location before calling 911. Slamming on the brakes in a live lane or stepping out of your car on the expressway can turn a bad situation into something much worse, so drivers who think their vehicle has been targeted should continue to the nearest safe exit, pull over, and then report what happened. If it can be done without putting anyone at risk, dashcam video or photos taken from a distance can later help investigators.
Authorities said the investigation into Tuesday's brick-throwing reports remained active as of Tuesday evening, according to CBS News Philadelphia. Drivers who have video, witness accounts, or other information related to the incident are urged to contact local law enforcement.
