Philadelphia is no stranger to car meetups, but last weekend’s events took a dangerous turn. Large crowds gathered throughout the city overnight, turning intersections into makeshift race tracks and fireworks displays. The result? Multiple police vehicles were damaged as authorities worked to disperse the gatherings.
The chaos began just before midnight, with cars driving down Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street as fireworks lit up the sky. Police managed to clear that area, but the madness continued to spread. By 1:30 a.m., South Philly was taken over by approximately 100 cars, complete with more fireworks, donuts, and even gunshots. Luckily, no one was hit by the gunfire, but it was a close call.
As the night wore on, the crowds moved to 23rd and Pennsylvania Avenue, near iconic landmarks like Eakins Oval and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Once again, fireworks and donuts were the main event, but this time, multiple police vehicles fell victim to the chaos.
City Hall became the next battleground, with video footage showing cars blocking traffic and performing dangerous stunts right in the heart of Center City. The situation escalated to the point where backup had to be called in as police vehicles were vandalized, including smashed windshields and flattened tires.
Unfortunately, the night did not end without casualties. Reports emerged of a woman’s foot being run over and an officer being injured in a crash while responding to the meetups. The officer is currently in stable condition, but the investigation into these incidents is far from over.
As the city cleans up the aftermath of these illegal gatherings, one thing is clear: the thrill of car meetups can quickly spiral out of control when safety is neglected. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold.