Philadelphia police are conducting an internal investigation after teenagers in a stolen car collided with a motorcyclist, killing Wilberto Casillas

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia police are conducting an internal investigation following a fatal crash involving a stolen car.

Five teenagers are in custody, including 17-year-old Bryce Neely, who faces a murder charge.

Wilberto Casillas, 55, of Philadelphia, was killed when the car filled with teenagers collided with his motorcycle.

Two of the officers involved have been placed on leave while investigators examine their conduct prior to the accident.

The fatal accident occurred on Tuesday around 8 p.m. on Front Street at Hunting Park Avenue.

Officials say a stolen Kia SUV was traveling north on Front Street when it ran a red light and struck Casillas’ silver Harley-Davidson motorcycle while he was traveling west on Hunting Park Avenue. The mangled motorcycle slid several feet before coming to a stop.

“The driver of the (stolen) motor vehicle slowed down but failed to stop for several traffic and ran several traffic lights before the fatal accident occurred,” noted Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci during the press conference.

Casillas was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say he was apparently not wearing a helmet.

“We see this kind of thing all the time and talk about it,” said Casillas’ girlfriend Emerald Martez.

Action News has obtained the latest surveillance video, taken two blocks from the crime scene.

Surveillance video shows a small white Kia SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle turning right from Erie Avenue onto Front Street just minutes before the fatal collision.

Closely following the Kia were three patrol cars and a van, all with their blue lights on.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, however, declined to say whether officers were pursuing the five teenagers in the stolen Kia.

After the collision, the Kia drove about 300 yards down Front Street before stopping. The driver and the other occupants of the car then attempted to flee, investigators said.

Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department told Action News that officers were on the scene shortly after the accident.

“Some officers immediately rushed to the aid of the motorcyclist because they noticed him lying on the highway,” said Small. “Some officers rushed to the aid of the driver and other officers pursued the juveniles who had fled from the Kia on foot. They did a great job and arrested all five of them.”

Officers said they pursued five juveniles on foot for about two blocks.

Neely was then taken into custody.

Neely is being charged as an adult and is accused of a total of 11 offenses, eight of which are felonies, Krasner said. Some of those charges include third-degree murder, manslaughter with a vehicle and theft.

According to investigators, he did not have a driver’s license, ran several red lights and drove too fast before the accident occurred.

“So when you add all of those facts together, I think you arrive at a level of recklessness that justifies the charge of third-degree murder,” said Anthony Voci, assistant district attorney for the Juvenile Homicide Unit.

The other young people, all girls between the ages of 14 and 17, were also arrested. They are all accused of receiving stolen goods, conspiracy, fleeing arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Investigators later learned that the Kia had been reported stolen in Northeast Philadelphia on Monday. They are now investigating whether this may be a similar situation to the “Kia Boys” challenge, in which older Kia models are stolen.

People who knew the motorcyclist were emotional at the scene of the accident, and could be seen hugging and crying as police conducted their investigation.

“This is a strong man, someone who did not deserve something so tragic and public,” noted Emerald Martez, a close friend of the victim’s family who referred to him as Uncle Will.

“He’s not one of those drivers who speeds or ignores traffic lights or red lights,” Martez added.

Casillas’ family and friends say he was a husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed repairing bicycles and was looked up to by others.

“Just a man of great presence, loving and courageous. That’s how we will remember him. We want our children to grow up to be that kind of man,” Martez said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police.

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