What started as a quiet pre-dawn in West Philadelphia turned chaotic early Monday when a blue Tesla hit a marked police cruiser, sped off and then crashed into a neighborhood storefront minutes later, authorities say. The driver took off on foot after that second wreck and at least one person was taken to a nearby hospital as police launched a search for the runaway motorist.
Police: Early-morning crash chain starts at 3:30 a.m.
According to investigators, the trouble began just after 3:30 a.m. when a blue Tesla collided with a Philadelphia police cruiser at Spruce Street and South St. Bernard. Instead of stopping, the car pulled away from the scene and headed south, officials said.
From there, the Tesla reportedly sped down South 50th Street, hit another car and then slammed into a building in the Walnut Street corridor. One person was hospitalized after that second crash, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Different outlets, different block
The precise location of the second collision depends on which report you read. One account puts the crash near 50th and Walnut, while NBC10 cites 51st and Walnut. Either way, the Tesla’s getaway was short lived.
Officers inside the police cruiser were not hurt, and the driver of the other car was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment, according to CBS Philadelphia. Police say the Tesla driver ran off on foot, and investigators are still working to track down both the vehicle and the person behind the wheel.
Caught on camera: Tesla barrels into storefront
Local TV cameras captured what police are now piecing together on paper. An Action Cam crew recorded a blue Tesla Model X strike the police car, clip a white Chevy Impala and then plow into a storefront window in the 50th-and-Walnut area, according to 6abc.
The Impala’s driver was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and the Tesla driver once again is seen bolting from the scene on foot, 6abc reported.
Police want video and tips
Detectives are asking neighbors and drivers in the area to check their surveillance and dashcam footage for anything that might show the Tesla before, during or after the crashes. Anyone with information can call the Philadelphia Police Department tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit a report through the city’s online resources, according to the City of Philadelphia.
What the law says about fleeing a crash
Under Pennsylvania law, drivers involved in crashes that cause injury or damage must stop, identify themselves and offer aid when possible. Leaving the scene when someone is hurt can bring felony charges under the state vehicle code.
So far, authorities have not said what charges the Tesla driver might face, or whether any charges are imminent. For now, investigators are focusing on tracking down the driver and are urging witnesses or anyone with footage to contact police.
