The Newark Police Department is investigating a Monday morning crash in which a stolen vehicle struck the St. John AM Church at the corner of New London Road and Hillside Road.
Officials said at approximately 4:15 a.m., officers responded to reports of trespassing and suspicious activity at a car dealership in the 300 block of East Cleveland Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing a black sedan and individuals on foot in the area. When officers arrived, they observed the sedan leaving the dealership and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled westbound. Officials said the officers discontinued the pursuit and were returning to the dealership to continue their investigation.
Shortly after, officers discovered the vehicle had crashed into St. John AM Church. Two men, described as occupants by police, were found at the scene with injuries. Officers immediately rendered aid and requested rescue crews to assist. Crews arrived at the scene at around 4:30 a.m., where they found the two male patients and the building heavily damaged.
A 24-year-old male, described as a pedestrian by arriving medical personnel, sustained severe injuries to his head, pelvis, and lower extremities. Paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to Christiana Hospital in critical condition. The second 24-year-old male, described by medical personnel as an occupant of the vehicle, was also injured. He suffered head and lower extremity injuries. He was taken to Christiana Hospital in serious condition. Police did not describe either patient as a pedestrian.
The vehicle involved in the crash was later confirmed to have been reported stolen in Pennsylvania. The Newark Police Department’s Traffic Response Unit responded to the scene to investigate. Representatives from the church and the City of Newark Building Department were notified to assess the extent of the structural damage.
Due to the structural damage to the building, the New Castle County Collapse Team was also called in to assist at the scene.
This crash marks the second incident at St. John AM Church in recent months. In September, the church suffered heavy damage in a separate crash, and the driver in that case was later charged. More details on the earlier incident can be found here.
The Newark Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this latest crash.