High school students killed in crash after Target theft, police chase in Limerick: officials

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.

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