Police Believe Speed, Alcohol Played Role In Two-Car Crash That Left 2 Dead, 4 Injured In Northeast Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police believe alcohol may have played a role in a two-car crash that left two people dead and several others injured in Northeast Philadelphia. According to police, six people were involved in the accident which happened at the intersection of Cottman and Torresdale Avenues around 2 a.m. Sunday.
Four people in a Nissan Maxima were reportedly traveling westbound on Cottman Avenue when they were t-boned by a Chevy Malibu that ran a red light on Torresdale Avenue while traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact sent the Nissan into a pole and caused the Chevy to flip over.
"When they arrived they found six victims," Captain Mark Overwise said. "There were two males and four females. The two males were transported to Aria Torresdale Hospital. One male is in grave condition and the other male driver of the northbound vehicle is in stable condition."
The accident caused multiple ejections -- including Ciara Parker, a passenger in the Nissan who was killed on impact. A 29-year-old woman was transported to an area hospital and is currently in critical condition. Two other women, ages 18 and 30, were also transported to area hospitals and placed in stable condition.
Eighteen-year-old Rashaan Cole, a passenger of the Malibu, was transported to Frankford Torresdale Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 5:43 a.m.
His 27-year-old uncle, Nehamiah Carstephen, was driving the Malibu and suffered a broken arm.
Carstephen was arrested for driving under the influence and charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, aggravated assault while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle and other related charges.