Man accused of deliberately driving SUV into Philadelphia police building identified
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 26-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say he intentionally drove his car into a Northeast Philadelphia police station, shattering glass and sending people inside running for safety.
Prosecutors identified the suspect as Dieufort Joly. Surveillance video released by investigators shows a vehicle slamming into the Second District police building, with glass breaking and doors flying inward as people in the lobby scramble to get out of the way.
"The video is shocking. The video is terrifying, and frankly, it almost looks miraculous that there was no one right in the immediate path," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
Krasner said Joly is charged with six counts of aggravated assault, six counts of simple assault, six counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of causing/risking catastrophe, one count of institutional vandalism, and one count of possession of an instrument of crime.
Prosecutors allege the crash endangered multiple people inside the station.
"Endangering a large number of people, six of whom are now listed as victims for the purpose of criminal charging," Krasner said.
The crash happened around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday on the 7300 block of Castor Avenue. According to investigators, surveillance footage from another angle shows a black Hyundai entering a left-turn lane before accelerating directly into the police building.
Police say Joly then tried to run away but was quickly taken into custody. Investigators said he was found carrying a Haitian passport.
Krasner said investigators are examining potential motives tied to a family situation earlier in the day.
"I also know that the investigation so far has indicated familial dispute in which there was discussion of returning to Haiti," he said.
Police previously responded to Joly's home around 11:45 a.m. for a reported domestic dispute involving his father, according to authorities. Sources familiar with the investigation said family members later called police again, but officers had not responded by the time Joly drove his car into the district building.
Sources also said Joly's mental health at the time of the incident is under investigation.
"There is the possibility of having evidence that would give us a clearer sense of motive that led to this action itself," Krasner said.
Investigators are now working with federal partners as they seek to better understand Joly's international history and the circumstances leading up to the crash.
Joly is being held on $1.7 million bail as the investigation continues.
