PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has charged the driver in the New Year's Day crash in South Philadelphia that killed three people.
Keith Campbell has been charged with three counts of homicide by vehicle, one count of aggravated assault, one count of reckless endangerment, and one count of possession of an instrument of crime.
Wednesday's head-on collision between an Acura SUV and an Audi heading the wrong way on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia claimed two of South Philly String Band's members: Dennis Palandro, 31, of Morton, Delaware County, whose father is the captain of the string band; and Joe Ferry, 36, of Philadelphia.
Campbell, the Delaware man who police say caused this crash — because he was driving after stabbing himself — is still in the hospital as well. The exact circumstances leading up to the crash are still under investigation. Police officials confirm they found a letter in the Audi he was driving, but wouldn't specify what it said.
Ferry had just gotten engaged at Christmas to the other person killed in the crash, Kelly Wiseley, 35.
"He told me he bought a ring, and he was like, 'Man I gotta sell some houses. I just spent all this money on a ring.' He was so in love with her," Janis Bernstock told CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Bernstock worked with Ferry at Settle Down Philadelphia, a real estate agency.
"The whole thing is horrifying. No matter how it happens, it's horrifying. But he's gone, and that's what it comes down to. He's gone, and we're all gonna miss him," Bernstock said.
There's black bunting draped across the sign mourning those killed outside the South Philly String Band clubhouse on West Porter Street, just off Passyunk Avenue.
The Folcroft Police Department is also mourning. The department tweeted condolences to retired Sergeant William Wiseley, the father of Kelly Wiseley.
In the meantime, the fourth victim who was in the SUV at the time of the crash is still in the hospital. Police say her injuries include a broken pelvis.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, which may result in additional charges against Campbell.
