Ridge Pike Crash Leads to Police Chase

Three Philadelphia residents were charged after a three-car crash on Ridge Pike in Whitemarsh Township, after one driver ran from the scene and was at large in the area for two hours, according to the Whitemarsh Police Department.

Officers responded to a crash at 19 Ridge Pike in Whitemarsh Township at 6:15 on March 1 when the driver of one of the vehicles, later identified as Christopher Alicea, 25, was allegedly seen running from the scene of the accident, covering his face and wearing a sweatshirt hood over his head in an attempt to hide his identity, police said.

While police were on the scene, two females, Francheska Carranza, 23, and Victoria Dessouki, 24, allegedly provided false information regarding who was traveling the vehicle, before finally admitting that Alicea was the driver, police said. Carranza is the owner of the vehicle, according to police.

Whitemarsh and Plymouth Township police searched for Alicea, who was seen running through the Whitemarsh Shopping center Towards Butler Pike.

Just after 8 p.m., Alicea was chased down by an officer in the Plymouth Square Shopping Center on Ridge Pike, and admitted to driving the vehicle in the earlier crash, police said.

According to police, Alicea is on state parole, and a detainer warrant was sent to Whitemarsh Police.

Alicea was charged with causing an accident involving injury while not being properly licensed, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving, flowing too closely and causing an accident involving damage an to attended vehicle.

Carranza was cited with numerous traffic citations for allegedly allowing Alicea to use her vehicle while being a suspended operator, and for allegedly providing misleading information.  Dessouki will be issued a citation for providing false and mislead information to investigating officers, police said.

Carranza’s vehicle was towed by Janeway and was held for investigation.