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Cop's teen son, passenger die in Blvd. crash

The teenage son of a 33-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department died yesterday in a car accident on Roosevelt Boulevard near Bridge Street.

The teenage son of a 33-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department died yesterday in a car accident on Roosevelt Boulevard near Bridge Street.

According to police, at about 3:20 a.m., Joseph Spires, 19, was driving his Honda S2000 sports car north on the inner lanes of the Boulevard.

"He lost control of his car and struck two trees and a utility pole," said Sgt. Larry Ritchie, of the Accident Investigation Division.

Spires and his 18-year-old passenger, whom Ritchie declined to identify, were trapped in the wreckage.

Spires died at the scene and his passenger was pronounced dead at Albert Einstein Medical Center shortly after.

Ritchie said that there was no evidence to suggest that Spires had been speeding but that the investigation is continuing.

"We can say for sure that there was absolutely no alcohol involved. There was also no alcohol in the vehicle," Ritchie said.

Spires was the son of Sgt. Francis Spires, of the 15th Police District, headquartered at Harbison Avenue and Levick Street, said Joyce Bustard, Spires' former wife.

City payroll records show that Spires joined the police force in August 1974.

Neighbors of the Spireses declined to comment yesterday, saying that Francis Spires would speak when he was ready.

Bustard said Joseph Spires played guitar in a rock band in his free time. *