Results tagged “schuylkillexpressway”

Earlier this morning, we noted that police had released photos of a truck possibly tied to October 5th's "Road Rage" shooting, in which Thomas Timko was shot while driving on the Schuylkill Expressway, shortly after exiting the toll plaza on the Walt Whitman Bridge. Timko's 8-year-old daughter was in the car with him, and was able to flag down help. Now comes news that the alleged shooter, 33-year-old Christian Squillaciotti of South Philadelphia, was arrested early this morning. Squillaciotti, a former mixed martial arts fighter, faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and related charges. The Inquirer has more details.

Gee, maybe the accident being filmed happened because one of the drivers was, we dunno, using a video camera while driving?

*The Schuylkill was originally used for recreation...a use they hope to renew. (It's nice enough to cruise on, but you won't catch this Phillyist kayaking in it. It's a bit too murky for us to chance falling in.)

The Schuylkill Expressway was reopened before noon, but for at least an hour this morning the police closed down the westbound lanes while they searched the area for a suspect who had fled on foot from an accident site that was the end result of a car chase. The only description we've got is "a black male wearing a tan shirt with a black shirt beneath," but the guy is wanted for a firearms violation, so definitely keep your distance if you think you see him; he may be armed. He was last seen heading toward the train tracks beneath the Falls Bridge. Police now suspect he may have hopped a slow train out of there, but they're not sure. Be careful, folks, and expect delays on your way home.

• Driving could be hazardous today - chunks of the South Street bridge fell onto the westbound Schuylkill Expressway this morning, causing an accident. Westbound traffic is being routed off the Expressway, and Eastbound traffic is super slow because of all those rubberneckers. The South Street bridge is also closed. Perhaps the South Street bridge should stay closed until the bridge can be replaced -- pieces of the bridge have come loose three times prior to today since 2003. Construction on a new bridge is due to begin next year.
• In an attempt to put a positive spin on the murder rate for last year, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that more than 70% of those murdered last year had criminal records. Chief Inspector Joseph Fox says most killings in the city are "bad guys on bad guys". If the phrase "self-cleaning oven" comes up, it's official: Philly officials have just given up on trying to solve the problem and are just trying to give us a false sense of security.
• File this under 'good to know': did you know that it's illegal to have a 'for sale' sign on your car in Philly? Neither did we, but ignorance won't stop you from getting a $300 ticket. Since 1946 it's been against the law to "display a vehicle for sale on a roadway", although the price for the infraction only recently was raised from $20.