June 15, 2023

Uber driver shot while transporting passenger in North Philly, police say

The 34-year-old man, who was struck in the head, is in critical condition. His passenger was not physically harmed, authorities said

By Franki Rudnesky
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice

An Uber driver was shot in the head Wednesday night while transporting a passenger near Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia, police say.

A 34-year-old Uber driver was shot in the head Wednesday night as he was transporting a passenger in North Philadelphia, police said.

The man was driving a Honda CR-V near Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue around 11 p.m. when a bullet went through the back of the SUV and struck him in the head, NBC10 reported.

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The bullet traveled through the headrests of the back and front seats on the driver's side before striking him, police said. After the man was struck, the SUV jumped a curb and crashed into a utility pole on the 1400 block of West Lehigh Avenue.

Police found the driver unresponsive. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The 18-year-old passenger was not hurt, according to police.

Bullet came through back window of Philadelphia @Uber vehicle rear window then through back & front seat head rest into back of driver’s head as he drove passenger west on Lehigh Ave. After he was shot & slumped over steering wheel, the Honda CRV crossed Broad St then crashed. pic.twitter.com/9MBfuMLAW5
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) June 15, 2023

The passenger was picked up by the Uber driver just minutes before the shooting, authorities said. She told police that the gunshots were fired suddenly and for seemingly no reason. She told police that she had not witnessed any road rage incidents or arguments.

"That 18-year-old passenger who was in the backseat heard the gunshots, heard a bullet go through the back window so she's extremely lucky cause she was missed by getting struck by gunfire by just a few inches," Chief Inspector Scott Small told 6ABC.

Six shell casings were found by police on the sidewalk of the 1300 block of Lehigh Avenue.

The investigation is ongoing. A motive is unknown and no arrests have yet been made, according to police.

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