Schuylkill Reopens After Chase, Crashes

BALA CYNWYD-March 7, 2006 -- The search is on for a gun-wielding suspect who caused a major midday crash on the Schuylkill Expressway. It all began at 53rd Street and Greenway Avenue in southwest Philadelphia. Police chased the man all the way over to the expressway, where the crash happened west of City Avenue.

An embankment by the expressway is where the fugitive escaped. There are freight trains that run along nearby, and police say he may have hopped one to escape.

Philadelphia police gave chase and 2 of them were injured. One hurt his knee, the other his ankle in pursuit down the embankment.

The morning mayhem began at 10:25 when police in southwest Philadelphia responded to a report of a man with a gun. Driving a silver Ford pickup, he hit one vehicle at an intersection. Then with police chasing through southwest and west Philadelphia, the truck eventually entered the westbound expressway at Montgomery Drive.

Philadelphia police say the fugitive hit several cars as he drove along the shoulder of the highway, finally crashing just before the Belmont exit in Lower Merion Township.

The west bound lanes of the Schuylkill were closed for about an hour. Police say the man jumped over the barrier and fled down the overgrown embankment toward the river, prompting a water search as well and assistance from Lower Merion police. Authorities say he may have escaped on a slow moving freight train.

Police say one of the motorists hit by the fugitive was taken to a local hospital. They also say the truck he was driving was not stolen. That could lead them to the name of the owner and perhaps the driver.

(Copyright 2006 by Action News. All Rights Reserved.)

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