A tragic scene: A memorial is shown at the site of a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of two Northeast teenagers and a 20-year-old from Burlington County. WILLIAM KENNY / TIMESÂ PHOTO
As a highly developed commercial and industrial district, the 10000 block of Sandmeyer Lane in Somerton is usually a bustling place on weekdays.
Judging by countless tire tracks and rubber fragments strewn atop the asphalt of the bending cul-de-sac, which extends about eight-tenths of a mile from its origin at Red Lion Road, the area is pretty busy on nights and weekends, too, with motorists who treat the public street more like a test track.
Two Northeast teenagers and a 20-year-old from Burlington County died along that stretch of roadway last Wednesday night in a violent crash that police suspect might be related to street racing. Two others were injured. Although the specific cause remains unknown, investigators are certain that high speed was involved.
“The car was speeding. It was occupied by five people, five young adults. It was speeding, couldn’t negotiate a turn, went out of control, went airborne and hit a tree,” Capt. John Wilczynski of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Accident Investigation Division told reporters on Thursday.
The accident happened at about 11:44 p.m. A 20-year-old identified by police as Christopher Bloomfield was behind the wheel of a 2007 Acura sedan traveling northbound on Sandmeyer. As the car approached a 90-degree left turn, it strayed off course, striking a curb at the entrance to Seravalli Contractors. The car gouged the concrete and asphalt and went airborne before a mature tree halted its advance toward the front door of the business. Wilczynski estimated that the Acura was traveling more than 75 mph. The impact essentially sliced the car in half and left a horrific wreckage.
Two 17-year-old girls were ejected from the car. Police identified them as Yvette Gonzalez from the 700 block of Rhawn St. and Sabrina Rhoads of the 100 block of Newberry St. Police found Felip Hernandez of Medford, New Jersey, in a rear passenger seat. All three died at the scene.
The emergency responders also found a 17-year-old male passenger in the street with severe head, femur and pelvic injuries. He was taken to Aria Health’s Torresdale hospital initially in critical condition, then transported by helicopter to Thomas Jefferson University hospital. As investigators were still trying to piece together the facts at about 4 a.m. Thursday, they learned that a blood-covered Bloomfield had been taken by an unknown private car to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he sought treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Police do not suspect that alcohol or drugs were a factor.
On Tuesday, Wilczynski told the Northeast Times that police have been unable to interview the younger survivor due to his medical condition. Police have interviewed the driver, who has been released from the hospital and been cooperative according to Wilczynski, but the investigation is far from complete. No criminal charges have been filed.
In the early stages of the probe, police obtained surveillance video from a nearby business that appeared to show a second car traveling alongside the Acura at high speed in the moments before the crash. It appeared to be a dark-colored BMW sedan. On Sunday, police seized a 2004 BMW that was parked along an unspecified block of Jeanes Street, according to Wilczynski. An anonymous tip led investigators to the car.
“Anonymous tips are good and we always respect anonymous tips,” the police captain said. “We often do rely on them.”
Investigators have questioned the car’s registered owner, but haven’t confirmed its involvement in the crash.
“They were both going fast, too fast for the conditions, too fast for that roadway,” Wilczynski said.
“Any car going that fast isn’t going to be able to make that curve. … I was told that this is an area where people do drag race, but I don’t know if that was the case here.”
As another component of the investigation, police may seek court approval to obtain social media records of those involved. They are also interested in speaking with any passengers of the BMW or witnesses.
Within a day of the crash, mourners had created a makeshift memorial to the victims at the base of the tree that the car had struck. There were mementos, messages and photos. Mourners had also scrawled messages on the curb that showed the scars of the initial impact.
On Saturday night, hundreds of relatives and friends attended a memorial vigil at the crash scene. Some lamented the loss of young people who had bright futures. Others, like Felip Hernandez’ grandfather Felipe Hernandez Sr., grasped for deeper meaning in the tragedy.
“We must show them how dangerous this is,” the elder Hernandez said to the crowd, speaking of unsafe driving. “This has not been the first and I know it won’t be the last, because some of us don’t learn. And we need to learn.” ••
