Three adults and a pregnant teenager were killed while three others were injured after a police chase ended in a fiery crash on Route 322 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, officials said.
On Wednesday, April 24, around 1:30 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police were patrolling the Brinton Lake Shopping Center in Concord Township, Delaware County, due to a recent string of retail thefts. The patrolling troopers then spotted a Ford Taurus that remained at a stop sign for a significant period of time before parking in a location away from the stores, investigators said.
At least three people -- one of whom was believed to be involved in a previous retail theft at the shopping center -- then exited the Taurus and approached the businesses, police said. One of the troopers then approached the group in his unmarked patrol vehicle, according to investigators.
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
The group then returned to the Ford Taurus and drove from the parking lot onto Brinton Lake Road, officials said. The vehicle had a tinted front windshield, expired inspection stickers and a Delaware temporary paper registration that was obscured by a tinted license plate cover, according to investigators.
As the Taurus approached the intersection of Brinton Lake and Mill roads in Thornbury Township, the state troopers pulled it over. After briefly stopping, the driver of the Taurus sped away, investigators said.
A high-speed chase that stretched for seven miles then ensued as troopers pursued the car. Investigators said the driver of the Taurus traveled in opposite lanes of traffic as he continued to speed.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
After about five minutes, the Taurus approached the Chichester Avenue overpass on Route 322 in Upper Chichester Township, according to investigators.
“PSP is in pursuit of a red Taurus, tinted windows, for attempted, for a theft on Lululemon,” a radio dispatcher said in audio obtained by NBC10. “They’re doing about 110 mph. Last seen on 322.”
As the Taurus traveled on the right shoulder to pass another vehicle, the driver lost control, traveled across multiple lanes and crashed into a concrete bridge embankment, investigators said. The vehicle then caught fire.
"I saw them back by the Wawa getting ready to throw the spike strips out," a truck driver, who witnessed the crash, told NBC10. "The police had the spike strips in their hand. Getting ready to throw them out. And then the cop ran to his car, jumped in it and then took, whipped up a U-Turn and flew back this way and then I saw the fireball."
Surveillance video from a gas station also showed smoke billowing from the car after the crash.
The responding state troopers attempted to remove the passengers from the vehicle while putting out the flames. Medics were also called to the scene.
Investigators determined that seven people in all were inside the Taurus. The driver, identified as 20-year-old Isaiah Miller of Philadelphia, as well as two passengers, 20-year-old Ikeam Rogers of Philadelphia and 21-year-old Kalyn Billups of Philadelphia, were all pronounced dead at the scene.
Four other passengers, including 17-year-old Tyjana Motley of Philadelphia, an 18-year-old woman, 16-year-old girl and 20-year-old man, were all taken to local hospitals.
Motley was pregnant at the time and an emergency C-Section was conducted, police said. Both Motley and her unborn child were later pronounced dead at the hospital. The other three passengers were all treated at the hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
SkyForce10 was over the scene of the crash shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, showing the mangled remains of the Ford Taurus as well as car parts scattered across the road.
Route 322 was closed for hours before reopening around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information should call Trooper Tray at PSP Philadelphia at 215-452-5216.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
