NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --
Charges are pending against a 58-year-old Philadelphia man who
police say struck and killed an off-duty Philadelphia officer then fled
the scene.It happened Sunday afternoon as the officer was riding his motorcycle on Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.
The 12th District officer, identified as 42-year-old Lamar Poole, was an 18-year veteran of the force. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Police say Poole's motorcycle collided with a vehicle around 4:10 p.m. Sunday along the inner lanes of the boulevard at Devereaux Avenue.
The driver got out of his vehicle, saw the crash, then tried to get away, police said.
He didn't get far. The man's car was stopped by a tow truck driver less than a mile from the crash near Harbison Avenue and the boulevard.
"Fortunately, we had a couple of witnesses - one being a tow truck driver who followed the vehicle, really helped out big time, followed the car, pinned the car in, called the police. Police got there and made the arrest for leaving the scene of an accident," Philadelphia Police Captain John Wilczynski said.
Authorities believe the suspect, a 58-year-old man from Philadelphia, was under the influence. He is awaiting charges.
"To be so cavalier about life - how are you going to do that? You've had the accident. Deal with the consequences, but don't walk away from somebody who was fatally wounded in this case," Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross said.
Medics rushed Officer Poole to Aria Hospital Torresdale. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Sunday night, a police motorcade escorted Officer Poole's body from the hospital to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office.
This comes eight days after another off-duty Philadelphia police officer was killed in a crash.
Last week, 32-year-old Philadelphia Police Sergeant Rafael Ali, a 10-year veteran of the department, died after police say he lost control of his 2007 Dodge Ram pickup truck and crashed on Henry Avenue in Roxborough.