3 teens dead after apparent police chase and crash in Limerick Township, Pennsylvania
Three people died and another person was injured after their car crashed following a possible police pursuit Tuesday night in Limerick Township, Pennsylvania, according to emergency officials and the Montgomery County district attorney.
Emergency officials said the civilian car involved in the accident flipped over multiple times.
The crash happened on Ridge Pike near Sunset Road at around 9:15 p.m. Video appears to show multiple police cars following the car, which was moving at a high speed, before it crashed.
The DA's office said police were responding to a "potential theft" at a Target on Ridge Pike when the police chase began. When police attempted to stop the car, the driver and three passengers fled, the office said. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed minutes later in the 300 block of Ridge Pike.
According to the Montgomery County officials, 17-year-olds Gabriel Cooper, Nasir Youk and Siniyah Newsuan were pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old boy was rushed to an area hospital in an unknown condition.
At least some of the victims were students at Owen J. Roberts High School, according to a letter sent to the school district's community. It's unclear how many were students.
A friend of the victims left a bouquet at the scene to honor their lives.
"I didn't think it was going to be my last time seeing them at school, so just seeing this is hard," Cheyanne Ramsure-White, an Owen J. Roberts High School student, said.
The Owen J. Roberts School District said grief counselors were available at the school Wednesday for students.
Ridge Pike was shut down for several hours after the crash but reopened early Wednesday. Jose Mercado was working nearby when he saw the car being towed away.
"I saw the car, a whole bunch of cops just fly by," Mercado said.
Neither police nor the district attorney have directly called the incident a chase or a pursuit. CBS News Philadelphia has asked the DA's office if this is being investigated as a pursuit and has not gotten an answer.
In Pennsylvania, police departments set their own guidelines for pursuits, but these policies are confidential. CBS News Philadelphia has filed a request to obtain the Limerick Township Police Department's pursuit rules.
"It's just ridiculous to me that police would chase three people in a vehicle for suspected theft of items at Target," said Liz Jurus, who has lived near the crash site for 40 years.
Apothecary Hair Salon was damaged in the crash and debris remained at the scene Wednesday. The business was closed Wednesday, and its owner told CBS News Philadelphia she hopes to reopen by Friday.
"Sad. Devastated. Sad for the families who lost loved ones and also a little stressed about having to close the business," Apothecary Hair Salon owner Pam Talarico said, "and now having to do a lot of repairs and stuff like that."
