Three Teens Killed In Crash Fleeing Police After Theft From Target

FOX29 Philadelphia ^ | 06.05.25 | FOX29 staff and Kelly Rule

[big truck]

LIMERICK TWP., Pa. - Three high school students were among three people killed in a crash that investigators say happened after a theft at a Target in Limerick Township.

Owen J. Roberts School District Superintendent Will Stout delivered the tragic news about the students' deaths in a letter to families on Wednesday.

A fourth person who was involved in the crash was taken to the hospital and their condition remains unknown at this time.

What we know:

Police responded to reports of a theft at a Target on Ridge Pike in Royerford around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The suspected vehicle fled, but the driver lost control and crashed minutes later on the 300 block of Ridge Pike.

Officials say three people inside the vehicle, two males and a female, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A fourth male was taken to a local hospital.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office identified the deceased victims as Gabriel Cooper, Nasir Youk and Singiyah Newswan, all 17 years old.

According to the Owen J. Roberts School District, two of the victims were current high school students, and one is a previous student. The fourth passenger, who was seriously injured and taken to Temple University Hospital, is also a student, the district says.

SKYFOX was live as a heavy police and medical presence lingered through most of the night and early morning.

A completely destroyed vehicle was also towed from the scene, along with a police vehicle.

What they're saying:

Owen J. Roberts Superintendent Will Stout on Wednesday confirmed that more than one district student was killed in the crash.

"It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter and let you know that earlier this morning we learned that there was a fatal car accident last evening involving Owen J. Roberts High School students," Stout wrote.

The district has made grief counseling available to students and families as the school community navigates the tragedy.

"Please keep our fellow Owen J. Roberts High School families in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time," Stout added.

Leah Rose, who graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School last year, brought flowers to the scene with her friends. She says she knows all four teenagers involved in the crash.

"They’re funny they have a great sense of humor they loved to dance, they danced all the time at school, all the time," she said. "They’re just good kids, they didn’t deserve this, they didn’t deserve this. It cost them their life and they’re kids, they’re babies."

Apothecary Hair Salon, along West Ridge Pike, says their sign and retaining wall were destroyed in the crash. The co-owner says the headlight from the car went through their window, and across the business.

"I wasn’t quite prepared for what was actually here, it was awful," said Erin Dolalas. "This can be rebuilt. These things are material but families can’t be rebuilt, so it’s definitely sad."

A next-door neighbor, Liz Jurus, says she was home and heard the crash.

"It’s just ridiculous to me that the police would chase three people in the vehicle for suspected theft of items at Target," she said.

Nearby business owners have different opinions on the alleged moments leading up to the crash.

"I know the police, they had to do their job, but I don’t know that high-tailing it in a car was the answer," said Robert Spahr, owner of Spahr’s Archives on West Ridge Pike. "Hopefully this is a lesson learned for any other potential perpetrators."

What's next:

An investigation is underway

Video at link.

https://www.fox29.com/news/deadly-crash-limerick-township-under-investigation-reports?fbclid=IwY2xjawKuqshleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkGPO238PSHaR4Xidt-RdiuxdCfBb97BOB8zkXz7WmsVY_enlr9xJxug1j4N_aem_K0Bkgj0UaXZODKI5uxchQA

[Alberta's Child]

I think the article is referring to the notifications of parents of other students, not the criminals.

[dragnet2]

Is that was the cops tell the innocents victim's families in court who died over some minor petty theft, all because the cops wanted to conduct high speed pursuits over a $30 petty theft?

Lie much? There were no innocent victims

This time! C'mon. Can you not grasp what is being said? You're a teacher?

Do ya think all these high speed pursuits going back decades have not killed and maimed a lot of innocents??????

Shall I post to you the endless events in which this happens?

Gezzzuz

[dragnet2]

I can’t believe how ignorant some of you people are.

[Alberta's Child]

From reading this article, I can tell you that Limerick, PA must be an awesome place to live -- because the police actually respond this way to a call about retail theft.

I live in one of the rare places that's even BETTER than this -- because there are no police here, and people deal with this sort of thing themselves.

It's not the home or business owner with a gun you need to worry about around here. It's the home or business owner with a gun and a backhoe.

[dragnet2]

Let me tell ya slick, criminals generally don’t drive like a bat out of hell through town if they’re not being chased. This is not complex....wow

[dragnet2]

Tell me, if some cop chasing a minor petty theft suspect broadsided your family vehicle, killing all of them and putting you in the hospital for 6 months, you’d be A-OK with that?

??

[lightman]

Pennsylvania Ping!

Please ping me with articles of interest.

FReepmail me to be added to the list.

[No name given]

Correct!

[No name given]

Obviously.

[Uncle Sham]

Tell me which is worse. Stealing something from Target or reckless driving?

[Gideon300]

Probably the same person who hires those journalists.

[Alberta's Child]

1. I would not be OK with it.

2. I would not blame the police for it.

3. I would be OK with the store owner setting the perps on fire right there in the store.

[tnlibertarian]

And, "two males and a female, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth male was taken to a local hospital."

A fourth male?

[Alberta's Child]

Here’s what I suspect is the story behind the story …

The police in that town know damn well that 99% of the crime is committed by people who don’t live in the town. And they know damn well that if they don’t catch the criminals in the act or fleeing the scene, then nobody outside the town — including the police in neighboring towns, the state police, and even the county prosecutor’s office — will do anything to apprehend the perps and bring them to justice.

Prove me wrong.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Ah, “teens”

[Organic Panic]

You’re blaming the cops for.the actions of criminals?

[cymbeline]

“I think the article is referring to the notifications of parents of other students, not the criminals.”

Good point. You’re undoubtedly correct.

[EVO X]

I suspect there is a bit more going on than some teens ripping off a few bags of skittles. Maybe one the teens pulled out a weapon of some sort or the car they were driving was stolen..

[dragnet2]

Tell me, if some cop chasing a minor petty theft suspect broadsided your family vehicle, killing all of them and putting you in the hospital for 6 months, you’d be A-OK with that?

I would not be OK with it.

I didn't think so.

I would not blame the police for it

So your family is all dead, you've racked up 2 million in medical, your car is wasted, you can no longer work....

What are going to do? Take the petty criminal who not worth $10 with no assets, to court to get settlement from the petty criminal? C'mon...

I'll tell exactly what you'd do, you'd go after the cops, the city and everyone else with deep pockets. And your attorney would tell ya the same exact thing.

[dragnet2]

None of that happened. If it did the cops would make damn sure that was publicly reported. Trust me.