John Stanford Criticizes Philadelphia Police Officer for Failing to Render Aid Before Fatal Hit-and-Run
Philadelphia police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run and the conduct of a 35th District officer who failed to provide assistance to a 48-year-old man before he was struck. The incident occurred early Thursday morning on Rising Sun Avenue in the Olney section of the city. First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford reported that the officer encountered the man walking with an unsteady gait and spoke with him while the man was in the bike lane. The man fell to the ground, but the officer returned to his vehicle and drove away, leaving the man in a street. Minutes later, another vehicle drove around a stopped car and ran over the man, who was then pronounced dead. Stanford described the officer's behavior as "extremely disappointing" and "troubling," noting that the officer failed to file a police report or provide aid during the encounter. The officer, who has served for two years, has been placed on administrative leave while internal affairs investigates the matter.
Sources
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An officer failed to help a man lying in the road minutes before he was killed by a hit-and-run driver, Philly police say
Inquirer.com
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Philadelphia officer left man in street moments before fatal hit-and-run, police say
6abc Philadelphia
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Officer failed to help hit-and-run victim before and after crash, police say
NBC10 Philadelphia
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Philly officer under investigation for failing to help man in fatal hit-and-run
FOX 29 Philadelphia
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Police investigating officer who failed to help man moments before he was fatally struck by vehicle
PhillyVoice