5 teens in custody after crash kills motorcycle rider in Philadelphia's Feltonville section, police say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Five teenagers accused of riding in a stolen car are in custody after their vehicle crashed into a man on a motorcycle in Philadelphia's Feltonville neighborhood Tuesday night, police said.
The 55-year-old rider, who was hit near Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue, was thrown from his bike and killed in the collision.
Police later identified him as Wilberto Casillas of Philadelphia. Family said Casillas was a loved father and grandfather.
"He is going to be missed," said Maria Torres, Casillas' sister. "He's going to be so missed. He was a humble human being, he was good to others."
According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, five teens between the ages of 14 to 17 were in a stolen Kia SUV when they hit Casillas around 8 p.m. Police said the driver, a 17-year-old boy, continued for about half a block before the car stopped and all the teenagers, three girls and two boys, ran from the car.
All five were eventually caught by police after being chased for about two blocks.
Small said the entire incident was caught on police cameras and on video from a gas station at the corner of Front and Hunting Park. Small said the video "clearly" shows the SUV ran a red light while driving north on Front before the collision. Then they struck Casillas as he drove west on Hunting Park and was crossing the intersection through the green light.
The Kia SUV was reported stolen out of Northeast Philadelphia on Monday, Small said.
Small also said investigators are looking into whether or not police were driving behind the stolen car before the crash because officers were able to respond within "seconds."
"As far as we know, there was no pursuit, and no pursuit we heard over the police radio," he said.