Teen charged with murder after Philly crash involving reported stolen SUV kills motorcycle driver

A teenager was charged with third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle, and other offenses after police say he drove a vehicle that struck and killed a man on a motorcycle in North Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Bryce Neely, 17, of Philadelphia, drove a stolen Kia SUV with four passengers through a red light at Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue just after 8 p.m. and struck Wilberto Casillas, 55, who was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle through the intersection, police said.

Casillas, of Philadelphia, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the Kia and the motorcycle collided, the car continued north on Front Street for about 1,000 feet while all five occupants “bailed out on foot,” Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters Tuesday night. All five ran about two blocks in different directions, Small said, but were ultimately apprehended by police.

During a news conference Wednesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said he couldn’t release many details about Neely’s history due to Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Act. Krasner said he could neither confirm nor deny “there may have been an ankle monitor on the driver.”

The four passengers — two 17-year-olds, a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old, all girls — have been charged with evading arrest, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property, police said Wednesday. Police have not released their identities.

The Kia had been stolen Tuesday morning, Krasner said, citing information provided by police. Security camera footage obtained by NBC10 showed police officers following the SUV immediately after the crash. When asked whether police were tracking the stolen vehicle, Small said it was under investigation, according to 6abc.

Two police officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative duty as the department conducts an investigation, Officer Tanya Little, a department spokesperson, said in a statement late Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, Krasner said he had yet to speak with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, and has several questions about the events that led up to the collision.

“I’m deeply troubled by the devastating consequences of this accident, and I think it is important that we find out all circumstances that surround it,” Krasner said.