PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The fleeing suspect, accused of critically injuring an Uber driver and killing his passenger, surrendered to Philadelphia police on Tuesday night.
Action News has learned that 35-year-old Joseph Cini was taken into custody at 8 p.m.
Authorities say Cini was fleeing from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department when he crashed into 51-year-old Stephen Thompson at 9th Street and Girard Avenue on Monday morning.
READ MORE | Uber passenger killed in crash involving suspect fleeing arrest in North Philadelphia
Investigators said Cini ran from the scene after the collision.
Thompson suffered eight broken ribs and a collapsed lung, according to his family.
“When I answered the phone and the officer identified himself, I just froze,” said Thompson’s wife, Jenelle Thompson. “Looking at his car, just seeing that and looking at him, it’s no one but God.”
Thompson’s passenger, Angela Cooper, 63, died in the crash.
Neighbors described Cooper as a caring person and devoted family woman who often cleaned up the block on trash day.
“Once my neighbor came and told me it was Angie, it broke my heart,” said Nakia Young, who lives nearby. “It’s sad. It’s really sad. She was really nice to everybody around here.”
As the neighborhood mourns, the Thompson family says they are leaning on their faith.
“We are so big on faith. God is our everything. He’s the center, he’s the core, he’s the foundation of what we believe in,” Jenelle Thompson said. “We know that he’s covering us and he is watching over us.”
Both Stephen and Jenelle Thompson serve as pastors in Kensington. While Stephen recovers in the hospital, Jenelle said she plans to continue their ministry work.
“We give out dinner to the community on Tuesdays, and so while he’s here, I’m going to be doing that,” she said.
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