Home
Teen charged in police crash
By Kia Gregory
Inquirer Staff Writer
Sep 07, 2008
A West Philadelphia teenager was charged yesterday with third-degree murder and other offenses in the crash that killed a city police officer Friday night. Andre Butler, 16, of the 700 block of North Markoe Street, was charged as an adult and processed at Police Headquarters.
Police said the SUV he was driving slammed into a police cruiser in the city's Mantua section, killing Officer Isabel Nazario, 40, and severely injuring her partner, Terry Tull, 38.
The officers were responding to a chase of the SUV. It was unclear why officers had tried to stop the white Cadillac Escalade, but the vehicle had been reported stolen.
"She was very polite," said John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5, who had worked with Nazario several years ago in narcotics.
"She had a great work ethic and a great reputation on the street. She was always willing to do what needed to be done. By all accounts, she was a great officer and a great family person."
Nazario and Tull were trapped in their car for about an hour after the crash, which happened around 9:30 p.m. at 39th and Wallace Streets. The two had to be cut out with a Jaws of Life device.
The police vehicle had been hit at such a high speed that it was completely crushed in at the point of impact.
Both officers were transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where Nazario, an 18-year veteran of the force, died of massive head trauma.
Tull, a 12-year veteran, suffered broken ribs and a broken hip. He was in guarded condition last night.
"Officer Nazario was a dedicated public servant who spent her life protecting others," Mayor Nutter said in a statement. "I have tremendous respect for the life of service to this city that she gave, and her senseless death is deeply sorrowful.
"This is a humbling reminder of the sacrifice made by a small number of heroes in Philadelphia so that we can all be safe."
According to police, a Strike Force Unit tried to stop the SUV near 46th Street and Westminster Avenue. The Cadillac fled, and police pursued.
Nazario and Tull, also from the Strike Force, were responding to the chase to back up other officers.
After the crash, police said, Butler ran away. He was arrested a couple of blocks away at Union and Mount Vernon Streets.
Butler was treated for minor injuries at a hospital. Police said they were awaiting toxicology results to determine if he had been drunk at the time of the crash.
Nazario is survived by her mother; her sister, Maritza Mohamad, an officer in the 39th District; and her 13-year-old daughter, Jazmine.
Nutter ordered all city flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days in Nazario's honor. Gov. Rendell has ordered state flags to be lowered as well.
Nazario was the second officer killed this year in the line of duty. On May 3, Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski was shot to death in Port Richmond while trying to arrest three suspects who had robbed a Bank of America branch at gunpoint.
Liczbinski, a 12-year veteran and married father of three, was gunned down days before what would have been his 40th birthday.
"This is an incredibly tough time for the Philadelphia Police Department," Nutter said in his statement. "I ask all Philadelphians, over the coming days and weeks, if you see a police officer, say thank you."
Contact staff writer Kia Gregory at 215-854-2601 or kgregory@phillynews.com .
Copyright 2008
Powered By Zebra Mobile
