I-Team: Kelly Drive Safety Under Scrutiny
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Following the tragic death of Philadelphia Police Sergeant Stephen Naughton, whose car veered off Kelly Drive and plunged into the Schuylkill River on Tuesday afternoon, a CBS 3 I-Team Investigation reveals that it is the fifth time in less than 3 years that a vehicle has left the drive and wound up in the river.
Just seven weeks ago, a car careened off the busy road near Boathouse Row, its driver rescued by two Good Samaritans. At almost the same location in August 2008, another car wound up submerged, its driver also escaping unhurt.
In January 2011, two cars were pulled from the river within 24 hours just off the Drive; how they got there isn't clear.
Because the road is so close to the river and a path used by walkers, joggers and bikers, some are questioning whether more barriers are needed. There are already several spots along the drive—including one just beyond Boat House Row—that are protected by barriers.
Some users of the path feel more barriers would protect both drivers and pedestrians, but others believe that drivers are going too fast on the busy roadway.
Philadelphia Streets Department officials tell CBS 3 that for now, they do not have any major changes planned for the roadway. The officials went on to explain that their decisions are based on the "best national practices" and other safety data. They point out that increasing the number of barriers could actually make safety issues worse.
Investigators looking into Tuesday's deadly crash now say that Sgt. Naughton suffered a heart attack and drowned after his car submerged, despite heroic actions by three civilians and an off-duty officer, who all jumped into the river in an attempt to save his life.
The 31 year veteran is survived by his wife and two children.
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Reported by Walt Hunter, CBS 3
