Sunday, August 23, 2015

Speeding Off-duty Philadelphia officer killed in pickup truck collision with tree in Roxborough, PA





An off-duty Philadelphia police sergeant was killed in a crash in Roxborough.




By Trish Hartman
Updated 5 mins ago

ROXBOROUGH, PA (WPVI) -- 


Accident investigators say a preliminary investigation shows no indication that alcohol played a part in the crash that killed an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.

But they say speed may have been a factor.

The crash happened around 12:00 a.m. Sunday on southbound Henry Avenue near DuPont Street in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

Police say the officer, a 10-year veteran of the force, lost control of his 2007 Dodge Ram pickup truck, crossed the center median and hit a tree.

PHOTOS: Off-duty officer killed in Roxborough crash








August 23, 2015: An off-duty Philadelphia police sergeant was killed when his pickup truck crashed on Henry Ave. in Roxborough. 


They say the 32-year-old sergeant from the 39th District was off-duty, and he was not on his way home from work at the time.

The Action Cam recorded images of the extensive damage to the front of the cab.

Police say there was so much damage to the truck they were unable to determine if the officer was wearing a seat belt.

Officials say responders had to work to free the driver from the truck.

He was taken to Einstein Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The officer's body was then escorted from the hospital to the medical examiner's office in an ambulance.

His name has not been released pending notification of family members.

Officers at 39th District headquarters say he was a well-respected sergeant and a leader in the department.

He is the second Philadelphia police officer killed this year.

The first was Sgt. Robert Wilson III, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in March as he tried to stop a robbery in progress at a North Philadelphia Game Stop.

Wilson was with the 22nd District.

Last August another officer from the 39th District lost his life in a crash. Officer Seth Stellfox was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Grief counselors were on hand at the 39th Sunday morning helping officers as they learned about this latest loss.