Cop opens fire after being pinned by vehicle in Crescentville, driver dead
The incident started when an officer, who was working alone, attempted to make a traffic stop at F Street and Roosevelt Blvd.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police have identified the suspect who died after an officer opened fire Thursday night during a violent traffic stop in the city's Crescentville neighborhood.
It happened around 7 p.m. Thursday at Adams and Newtown avenues.
Police say the incident started when an officer, who was working alone, attempted to make a traffic stop at F Street and Roosevelt Blvd.
The driver, identified as 36-year-old Curtis Wallace, reportedly fled from the officer to an area near Adams and Newtown avenues. With the help of multiple civilians, the officer again tried to stop the vehicle, investigators said.
"Three independent civilians saw him try to stop the vehicle and they would start to block the highway for him," stated Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
The commissioner says Wallace pulled behind one of the civilian's cars and the officer pulled up behind the suspect.
Three witnesses at the scene told police the suspect backed into the officer's patrol car. Soon after, the officer was struck by the suspect's vehicle upon walking up to the door, according to Bethel.
"Those independent witnesses say at some point they see the door open and then, at some point, they see the car turn into the officer, striking him and pinning him against the wall," he said.
The officer was observed firing multiple shots into the vehicle. Bethel says the passenger tried to flee but was detained by the civilians.
"To see three individuals stand up and each one of them support the officer who was going to be put in a very dangerous situation, we greatly appreciate that," added Bethel.
Wallace then backed the car out and took off but was found in a driveway 2.5 blocks away on the 200 block of Benner Street.
According to police, Wallace suffered from a gunshot wound to the head and body.
Cell phone video shows the moment emergency responders found Wallace near his vehicle and began chest compressions in an attempt to save him.
He was taken to Einstein Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The injured officer suffered injuries to his legs and was taken to an area hospital where he has since been released. The officer is assigned to the 25th District and has been on the force for eight years.
There was no immediate word on why police were trying to stop the vehicle.
"We have video evidence. The officer was wearing a body camera. We have now taken it down to our internal affairs division to see what if anything is captured on there," Bethel said.
Police are reviewing street cameras as well as the officer's body-worn camera to aid the investigation.
