Allegedly drunk Philly cop left woman with broken legs, dead dog after crashing car into her home at 70 mph
Court documents allege officer Gregory Campbell was drunk and driving “at least” 70 miles per hour when he crashed into the living room of a Northeast Philadelphia couple, causing serious injuries.
Philadelphia Police Officer Gregory Campbell was allegedly intoxicated Saturday night and driving “at least” 70 miles per hour in his Dodge Dart when he blew past a stop sign and slammed into a house down the street from the headquarters of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5, breaking a woman’s legs and collapsing her lung while she was lying on the couch with her husband, according to court documents.
The 53-year-old woman, a mother of three, was “dragged and pinned” under Campbell’s car and was hospitalized in critical condition, the criminal complaint states. Her 45-year-old husband required medical treatment for less severe injuries to his arm, hand, hip, leg, and back.
One of their dogs was killed.
The impact of the crash left the couple’s house, on a tidy block of Comly Road in the Far Northeast, looking as if it had been partially bulldozed. A jagged hole revealed splintered wood, dangling shards of sheet rock, and overturned furniture.
“We are grateful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers,” said one of the woman’s sons, who did not want to be identified. “Outside of that, we have no comment. We ask that everyone respect our privacy.”
Investigators are still retracing the steps that Campbell, 27, made in the hours leading up to the accident.
Multiple law enforcement sources said Campbell is believed to have attended a beef and beer fund-raiser that was held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Crispin Tavern, on Holme Avenue near Ashton Road, for the family of James O’Connor IV, a police corporal who was fatally shot while serving an arrest warrant in Frankford last year.
At some point, Campbell — who was off-duty — ended up at the 7C Lounge, a bar and restaurant inside the FOP’s sprawling headquarters on Caroline Road, about five miles from Crispin Tavern. On its website, the FOP touts the lounge as a refuge for cops: “Every hero needs a hide-out!”
About 8:20 p.m., Campbell smashed into the couple’s home on Comly Road, which has a 30 mph speed limit and sits across the street from the stop sign on Caroline Road.
“I don’t know where he was prior [to the accident],” said FOP President John McNesby. “I think there’s still some confusion. I have not spoken to the guy. I’m talking to my folks here, and they’re still not sure whether [Campbell] was here or not.”
McNesby said the union is cooperating with accident investigators.
Campbell, who worked in the 14th District in Germantown, was charged with driving under the influence, aggravated assault, and criminal mischief, and released on bail on the condition that he not drink or drive.
He could not be reached, and it was unclear if he had obtained an attorney.
On Monday afternoon, a police cruiser was still parked at the accident scene. A thin layer of snow covered debris that had been scattered across the lawn. At the FOP’s headquarters, meanwhile, a digital sign flashed: “BACK THE BLUE.”
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Sunday that the department would conduct a full investigation.
“The consequences of choosing to drive while under the influence are enormous, and all too often, life-changing,” Outlaw said. “A family should always feel safe in their home, and yet the actions of this individual shattered that reality.
“The fact that the offender, in this case, is a Philadelphia police officer is appalling. Police officers must be held to a higher standard — even while off-duty — and I assure the victims and the public that a complete and thorough investigation will take place. My prayers remain with this family.”
Campbell joined the force in March 2018 and made a base salary of $63,999, according to City of Philadelphia payroll records from 2019.
A woman who said she was Campbell’s mother, reached at the family’s home, said no one there would have any comment.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said of Campbell’s crash: “We are very actively investigating where he was coming from, under what circumstances, including immediately before the accident. We expect to have some definitive information within the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Campbell is the latest police officer to face criminal charges. In recent months, the department has announced the arrests of at least a half dozen other current or former officers for a range of alleged criminal offenses, including murder, assault, robbery, DUI, terroristic threats, vandalism, public drunkenness, statutory rape, and sexual assault of a minor.
Inquirer staff writers Mensah M. Dean and Rita Giordano contributed to this article.