Police in Delco shot two people, one fatally, after a traffic stop
The vehicle’s passenger died at the scene, while the driver — who Newtown Township police say pinned an officer against his cruiser — was shot at several times.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office is investigating after Newtown Township police shot two people, killing one, during a traffic stop.
The traffic stop began just at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday near Brookside and Ashley Roads in the area known as Newtown Square when officers spotted a “suspicious” Nissan Altima, according to a statement from the police department.
The Altima stopped and then fled from police, said the statement, turning the traffic stop into a vehicle pursuit wherein the Altima hit two police cruisers.
Officers stopped the car again on the 800 block of Bryn Mawr Avenue in neighboring Radnor Township. There, the statement said, the Altima accelerated and pinned an officer against a police cruiser.
“That officer fired his weapon at the vehicle in defense of his life,” the statement read.
Police are not releasing the name of the officer. He fired several times, striking a 28-year-old passenger in the Altima who died at the scene.
He also struck the 27-year-old driver “several times.” The driver was taken to Lankenau Hospital in unknown condition, according to the statement.
The officer is being treated for minor injuries at Bryn Mawr Hospital, read the statement.
Police did not release the names of the driver or passenger.
“Consistent with our policy regarding officer involved shootings, the Special Investigations Unit of my Criminal Investigation Division has initiated an investigation into last night’s fatal shooting,” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, who said his office would provide more information after the investigation is completed.