The driver in a crash that killed three people in South Philadelphia after midnight Wednesday had been pursued by police in Delaware just a half-hour before the fatal crash, authorities revealed Friday.
Keith Campbell, the 29-year-old driver of a white Audi, slammed into an Acura carrying four passengers around 1:45 a.m. on Packer Avenue. Campbell had been suffering from 15-20 stab wounds to his chest and abdomen at the time of the crash, investigators said.
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Police described a note they found in Campbell's car as "rambling" and "paranoid," suggesting he may have stabbed himself in a possible suicide attempt. Campbell survived the crash and remains hospitalized in critical condition. He's been charged with homicide by vehicle and related offenses.
On Friday, authorities in Newport, New Castle County, said they had chased to Campbell before he crossed into Pennsylvania, according to The News Journal.
Newport police Lt. Mark Wohner said Campbell was spotted driving erratically on Route 4 shortly after 1 a.m. He failed to stop for police and continued onto I-95, at which point Delaware State Police joined in the pursuit.
Authorities called off the chase around the Christiana Mall because it "endangered the safety of other vehicles," Wohner reportedly said.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Delaware officials notified Pennsylvania authorities that Campbell's car was heading toward the border.
The crash in South Philadelphia killed 36-year-old Joseph Ferry, 31-year-old Dennis Palandro and 35-year-old Kelly Wiseley. Pilandro's wife, 30-year-old Nicole Pilandro, survived and was hospitalized in critical condition. Ferry and Wisely were recently engaged.
Both Ferry and Palanadro were members of the South Philly String Band.
An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.