Abington Township, Pennsylvania — A Pennsylvania man is facing attempted murder and multiple felony charges after police say he intentionally drove his Jeep onto a sidewalk and struck a cyclist, sending the 24-year-old victim flying nearly 100 feet following a dispute over whether the bicycle had been stolen.
According to the Abington Township Police Department, the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. Sunday in Abington Township, about 15 miles north of Philadelphia.
Investigators identified the suspect as 40-year-old Phillip Prince, who was taken into custody at the scene.
Police Say Driver Confronted Cyclist Over Bicycle
Authorities said 24-year-old Colin Cassidy was riding a BMX-style bicycle with three other cyclists when Prince allegedly began following the group in a Jeep Compass.
According to investigators, Prince eventually stopped his vehicle, got out and confronted Cassidy, claiming that the bicycle had been stolen.
Police say Cassidy continued riding away after the confrontation, but Prince allegedly continued following him through the neighborhood.
Investigators have not said what led Prince to believe the bicycle belonged to someone else.
Jeep Allegedly Drove Onto Sidewalk Before Impact
According to police, Cassidy was riding down Meyer Avenue and had moved from the roadway onto the sidewalk near the bottom of a hill when the incident escalated.
Investigators allege Prince crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, drove onto the sidewalk and struck the rear of Cassidy’s bicycle.
Authorities say the impact launched Cassidy approximately 90 to 95 feet, causing catastrophic injuries.
Police said witness statements and surveillance video support the sequence of events described by investigators.
When officers arrived, they found Cassidy unconscious and bleeding from the head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for significant head trauma.
Suspect Arrested at the Scene
Police said Prince remained at the scene after the crash.
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Investigators observed front-end damage and a cracked windshield on the Jeep before taking him into custody.
He has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault by vehicle, homicide by vehicle, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person, among other offenses.
Prince was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 22.
The charges represent allegations, and Prince is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Family and Neighbors React to the Incident
The alleged attack has left family members and neighbors shocked by the violence.
Neighbor Geoffrey Brams questioned the motive behind the incident.
“Even if it was over a bike, it still doesn’t give the guy the right to mow someone down and try to basically kill them.”
Cassidy’s mother said her family is focused on her son’s recovery after emergency surgery.
“We’re just trying to be positive right now.”
She added:
“We’re hoping this will only take him a few months of recovery, is our biggest hope, and he can really return to the active, young guy that he was.”
Speaking about the incident, she said:
“I already lost one son.”
And added:
“To have a grown man target someone else like that, at any age, but let alone someone helpless on a bike, I can’t even wrap my mind around it.”
Authorities continue investigating the incident as Cassidy recovers from his injuries.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think incidents involving road rage and confrontations between drivers and cyclists are becoming more common? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.