Suspect in Hospital Hit-and-Run Injuring 3 Nurses Surrenders to Police
Update 10/16/24
A 20-year-old man accused of hitting three nurses with his vehicle as they attempted to treat a gunshot victim outside a Philadelphia hospital has surrendered to police, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
Jaadir Goodwyn, a Philadelphia resident, was identified as the suspect on Tuesday. He now faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault by vehicle and reckless endangerment.
According to police, Goodwyn was driving a silver Jeep Cherokee early Saturday morning when he dropped off a gunshot victim at Penn Presbyterian Hospital around 4:30 a.m. After he and two other men went inside for help, nurses and hospital security rushed outside to assist the wounded man. It was during this time that the nurses were struck by the vehicle.
10/14/24
Three nurses were injured in a hit-and-run incident outside Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood early Saturday morning. The incident, which occurred around 4:22 a.m. on October 12, 2024, has left the medical community shaken and authorities searching for the perpetrator.
Chaotic Scene Unfolds in Hospital Ambulance Bay
The incident began when a silver Jeep Cherokee arrived at the hospital's emergency department, dropping off a 28-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. As nurses rushed to provide aid to the shooting victim, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. The driver of the Jeep, described as a male possibly in his early 20s, suddenly struck the three nurses and the gunshot victim before fleeing the scene.
The chaotic scene unfolded in the ambulance bay, an area typically reserved for the safe transfer of patients to emergency care. Instead, it became the site of a traumatic event that would impact the lives of multiple healthcare workers and patients.
Nurses Suffer Varying Degrees of Injury
The three nurses involved in the incident sustained injuries of varying severity:
- A 36-year-old nurse is currently in critical condition, having suffered facial injuries and internal bleeding.
- A 37-year-old nurse sustained injuries to his legs and is reported to be in stable condition.
- A 51-year-old nurse suffered injuries to his head and back and is also in stable condition.
The 28-year-old gunshot victim, who was initially being brought to the hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds from an incident on the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue, may have suffered an additional head injury as the Jeep fled the scene].
Investigation Underway as Authorities Search for Suspect
Philadelphia Police have launched an intensive search for the hit-and-run driver and the silver Jeep Cherokee involved in the incident. They are urging anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
While the initial query mentioned that Upper Darby Police had located the Jeep on the 6800 block of Walnut Park Drive, this information is not confirmed in the cited sources. The search for both the vehicle and the driver remains active and ongoing.
Hospital Community Responds
In the wake of this traumatic event, Penn Medicine has strongly condemned the incident and is providing support resources for the injured nurses and their families.
“Today's incident reminds us of the tragic, far-reaching toll of gun violence on entire communities. The nurses hurt today have our support, and we’re here for all staff who feel the pain that ripples out from such senseless violence. We stand as a community, stronger together,” Kevin Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System wrote on X.
Implications for Healthcare Worker Safety
This incident highlights the potential dangers healthcare workers face, even in environments designed for patient care and safety. It raises important questions about security measures in hospital emergency areas and the need for enhanced protection for medical staff.
The nursing community and the public alike await further developments in this case, hoping for the swift recovery of the injured nurses and the apprehension of the hit-and-run driver responsible for this distressing incident.
