PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have released the names of the three people killed in a bizarre auto collision near the stadium complex in South Philadelphia on Wednesday morning. Police say they're connected to a mummer string band.
Investigators say at around 1:45 a.m., Keith Campbell, 29, was driving a white 2014 Audi on Packer Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle near Seventh Street and drifted to the wrong side of the road. He slammed into an oncoming 2015 Acura.
The driver of the Acura, Joseph Ferry, 36, his girlfriend Kelly Wiseley, 35, and Dennis Palandro, 31, were all killed. Police said Ferry was ejected from the vehicle.
The front-ends of the two cars involved were completely smashed, and there was debris scattered all over Packer Avenue near Seventh Street for much of Tuesday morning.
A third passenger, who police will only identify as a 30-year-old woman, suffered a broken pelvis and is in critical condition at Jefferson University Hospital. Police say she is expected to survive.
Police say Campbell was driving with 15 to 20 stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, which they believe were self-inflicted. Chief Inspector Scott Small said cops found a 10-inch knife, covered in blood, in the man's car.
"That's still under investigation," Captain Mark Overwise said Wednesday. "However there was no one else in the vehicle at that time, so the supposition would be that he stabbed himself."
Police aren't sure why he would do such a thing. Overwise said it would be highly unusual. "Why he did that we don't know. You could suspect that he passed out as a result of the wounds he had." He added the investigation is still in its early stages.
Campbell was also taken to Jefferson University Hospital and is listed in critical condition. He is also in hot water with the law.
"We're looking to charge Mr. Campbell with four counts of accidents involving death or serious bodily injury," Overwise said.
Overwise says the people in the Acura are connected to the South Philadelphia String Band, thoughn it is not clear how many. One of the men killed was wearing a shirt with a logo from the mummers brigade.
"I do know the South Philadelphia String Band's clubhouse is near the area of 28th and Penrose somewhere in that area, so it's possible they left the clubhouse to go home," Overwise said.
The club posted this notification to the group's Facebook page on Wednesday morning:
