Police charged 27-year-old Nehamiah Carstarphen with driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle and other charges in connection with the early-morning collision at Cottman and Torresdale avenues.
“We do not have any scientific analysis as of yet as to what the speed was,” he said. “We have some investigating to do on that, but from the video it's evident that it was a high rate of speed.”
It was so forceful that five of the six people involved in the crash were ejected from their cars — including 29-year-old Ciara Parker from Cedarbrook, a front-seat passenger in the Maxima, who died at the scene.
Three other women in the Maxima suffered serious injuries. Carstarphen's blood-alcohol level has not yet been determined.
“Anybody who drives while impaired or drives intoxicated puts everyone’s lives at risk, including their own,” added Overwise.
Carstarphen remains at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.