The authorities have stated that a police officer was pursuing a vehicle that is thought to be connected to an earlier incident when they hit a bike with their cruiser on Sunday afternoon in North Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Police Department issued a statement on Monday stating that the collision took place on the 700 block of Spring Garden Street at approximately three o’clock in the afternoon.
In addition, the agency stated that the biker, who was 68 years old, was transported to Temple University Hospital by medical personnel in order to receive treatment for minor injuries. There were no other people who were harmed in the incident.
In the Tioga neighborhood, on the 1900 block of West Allegheny Avenue, the pursuit started when authorities attempted to pull over a silver Honda CRV, according to the investigators. Following a gunshot that took place in Nicetown on Saturday afternoon, the police have a strong suspicion that the vehicle was engaged in the incident.
According to the authorities, a man who was 22 years old and had been wounded in the 1600 block of Juniata Street arrived to Temple hospital at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Saturday with a wound to his back. The shooter had fired shots on the area. Unfortunately, his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
According to the police, the driver of the CRV made a sudden turn into the cycle lane as the pursuit continued along Spring Garden Street. The police department vehicle then followed this turn and collided with the cyclist as well as an SUV that was not involved to the incident. According to the authorities, the two people who were inside the CRV fled the area and managed to escape.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department, the Crash Investigation Division is currently conducting an investigation into the crash.
A cycling organization called Philly Bike Action, which works for safer streets, stated that the accident highlights the necessity for political officials to expedite the planning process for a protected bike lane on Spring Garden Street.
“A protected bike lane would have kept this man safe,” the organization said in a statement that was released on Monday based on the incident. Rather than that, he is required to spend some time recuperating in a sanitarium.
