Illegal dirt bike rider meets grim end on streets of crime-ridden Philadelphia
A Philadelphia man was killed after he became trapped underneath a car when haphazardly popping a wheelie while riding a stolen dirt bike.
Rashad Basil Young Jr. had allegedly stolen the bike and took it for a joyride through the crime-riddled streets of the City of Brotherly Love before he struck a black 2024 Genesis sedan.
The impact happened around 8:30pm at 52nd and the 5200 block of Spruce Street on Wednesday evening.
The 25-year-old rider had become pinned underneath the vehicle, unable to free himself from the immense weight of the car.
After strenuous efforts by responding firefighters and Philadelphia Police, Young was freed from the car's mounting grip and was immediately rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries at 8:57 pm.
The driver, who remains unidentified, was reportedly operating the vehicle within the confines of the law and no arrests have been made in the case as of Wednesday evening.
'I assume he was not traveling that fast at the time, he was not speeding,' Philadelphia Police Captain Andrew DiSanto told NBC10, indicating that the car's driver - who did not sustain injuries - was making a legal turn at the time of the collision.
The driver reportedly remained at the scene of the accident after the crash.
Rashad Basil Young Jr., 25, had allegedly stolen the bike and took it for a joyride through the crime-riddled streets of the City of Brotherly Love before he struck a black 2024 Genesis sedan
A Philadelphia man was killed after he became trapped underneath a car after haphazardly popping a wheelie while riding a stolen dirt bike
After efforts by responding firefighters and Philadelphia Police, Young was freed from the car's mounting grip and was immediately rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries at 8:57 pm
An investigation into the late evening accident is ongoing as police seek to determine any and all causes that may have led to the crash, including the potential theft of the bike.
Young has had a few run-ins with the law in the past, including an October 2019 charge related to carrying a firearm without a license and a guilty plea for a disorderly conduct charge in October, according to court documents.
He had also accumulated additional criminal charges for driving an unregistered vehicle in May 2024, driving with a revoked license in both April and August 2024, and another for speeding in 2018.
Young's loved ones have since taken to social media to share their heartbreak and utter devastation.
'My sweet precious angel I love you so very much Rashad I would give every breath in my body for you,' his grieving mother, Dorothy Young wrote on Facebook.
Others have inundated her comment section sharing heartfelt sentiments about the young man.
'Rest well cousin. Love you Dotsy we are praying for you,' Phillip Young, a man claiming to be the victim's cousin shared.
'No words can truly capture the depth of your grief, and I am so sorry for your loss. In times like these, we can find strength in our foundation. Matthew 5:4 reminds us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The impact his life made on those around him would never be forgotten,' another wrote.
Another commented: 'OMG. This is a lot. My next door neighbor, my nephew, my family. I am sooo very very sorry. May God give you all the strength to get through this. Rest in peace our precious one.'
