by KYW's Hadas Kuznits and Jim Melwert
Philadelphia police say a driver on a murderous rampage deliberately rammed another car containing his own 12-month-old daughter and the daughter's mother, leaving one person dead and four others seriously hurt in a horrific crash early Wednesday morning on Roosevelt Boulevard.
Chief inspector Bill Colarulo, with the police department's special investigations unit, says police now believe the two-car crash was deliberate:
"This takes road rage to a whole other level."
Colarulo says that just before 1am Wednesday morning, 19-year-old Shawn Bender rammed his Chrysler into another vehicle on the southbound outer lanes of the Boulevard, near Adams Avenue, forcing that car into a concrete barricade, killing a 17-year-old man who was in the car and leaving the other three people in that car -- including Bender's own 12-month-old daughter and the baby's mother -- in critical condition:
"He was ramming the vehicle to the point where he was striking the vehicle numerous times and the vehicle was forced into a brick wall. And that's what caused the injuries and the fatality at this point."
Colarulo says it looks as though the crash was prompted by a domestic dispute. He says police were still sorting out the details. Investigators add that at least one gun was found in each car.
The dead person is identified as Charles Johnson, 17. Those in critical condition, besides the baby girl, are the girl's mother Jaleesa Hall; Cassandra Hall; and Emerill Justin. Their relationships were not immediately revealed.
Bender was listed in stable condition. He has been charged with one count of murder and four counts each of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
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