Authorities say a Georgia man stole a utility truck and caused a collision with another vehicle before crashing into a schoolyard Tuesday afternoon in Southwest Philadelphia.
Robert Littlepage, 18, tried to carjack a woman at around 2:15 p.m. on the 6300 block of Grays Avenue in the Elmwood neighborhood, investigators said. Unsuccessful, he then hopped into a white truck that had been left running in the area of 62nd and Reedland streets, according to police.
He allegedly hit a parked SUV on Elmwood Avenue and drove along the sidewalk before speeding through a red light at 55th Street and Kingessesing Avenue, law enforcement officials said. There, Littlepage slammed the truck into a car, triggering a major crash involving multiple parked vehicles, authorities added.
The PPD said a woman in the car was hospitalized with nonlife-threatening injuries. Littlepage and the truck ended up careening into a playground outside Mitchell Elementary School in Kingessing, according to investigators.
Officers arrested Littlepage at the scene, and he was taken to a local medical center for treatment. Police said he is expected to be charged with aggravated assault, attempted carjacking, reckless driving and related crimes.
Somewhat amazingly, no bystanders were seriously injured, officials said. A crossing guard, Jamele Ransom, told television crews that he had to “bob and weave” to avoid the truck.
Littlepage, who is listed as being from Douglasville, Georgia, was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and other offenses for an incident that occurred April 18 in Darby.
The Delaware County Daily Times reported that he fell out of a tree in an attempt to flee police officers who responded to a break-in on the 200 block of Highland Avenue. Bail was set at 10% of $150,000, and he posted it April 20, according to court records.
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