DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA — An attempted carjacking incident in Upper Darby led to a dramatic chase and crash near the Lansdowne Borough Hall early Friday morning. The crash caused significant damage to the front courtyard of the Borough Hall, including uprooted plants, damaged street signs, and muddy tire tracks.
The incident began with a minor car accident in Upper Darby, where a white Kia sideswiped another vehicle. The victim pursued the Kia to confront the driver. At a traffic stop, a passenger in the Kia attempted to carjack the victim’s car, leading to an exchange of gunfire. One bullet struck the carjacker, who then re-entered the Kia.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt explained that the pursuit by police began after an officer heard the gunshots. The chase concluded when the Kia, containing three individuals, lost control and crashed near the Lansdowne Borough Hall.
Among the occupants of the Kia was a 20-year-old man from Colwyn, identified as the carjacking suspect and currently hospitalized in stable condition. The driver, a 15-year-old from Darby Borough, was apprehended by the police. The third occupant managed to escape. The Kia was reported stolen, reflecting a broader issue of frequent Kia and Hyundai thefts in the area.
The 38-year-old intended victim from Upper Darby, licensed to carry a firearm, is cooperating with the police.
