Driver charged with crashing car into Eagles fans on North Broad, injuring 8 people

UPDATE (5:34 p.m.): The driver who struck a crowd of Eagles fans celebrating on North Broad Street after Sunday's playoff victory has been charged with multiple offenses, police said Monday afternoon.

Rebekah DeShields, 26, of Narberth, was taken into custody shortly after she drove her 2018 Mercedez-Benz into fans gathered on the 1400 block of Spring Garden Street near the intersection of Broad Street, authorities said. Injuries from the crash ranged from minor pain to fractured bones, according to investigators.

After the crash, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, police had said the incident "did not appear intentional."

DeShields is charged with aggravated assault, driving without a license, simple assault, reckless driving and related offenses.

Contacted Monday afternoon, police did not immediately respond to questions about whether the crash is still being investigated as unintentional.

The crash was one of several incidents that happened as crowds gathered around the city after the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl on Sunday. One person was stabbed in a parking lot near Lincoln Financial Field, at least two people were shot and two people were arrested for alleged assaults on police officers, 6ABC reported.

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A car drove into a crowd of people celebrating the Eagles' Super Bowl berth Sunday night, injuring several people, police said.

Swarms of fans took to Broad Street and other areas in Philadelphia after the Birds beat the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game to secure a spot in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. The car struck a crowd at Broad and Spring Garden streets around 9:30 p.m. At least three people who were struck sustained non-life-threatening injuries, 6ABC reported.

MORE: The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX

The driver was taken into custody for custody for questioning, but police said on social media that the crash "does not appear intentional at this time." Police have not released any information about the driver.

Auto Vs. Pedestrians crash at Broad and Spring Garden – driver of vehicle is in custody. Does not appear intentional at this time. Please avoid the

— Philadelphia Police Department (@PhillyPolice) January 27, 2025

A witness told NBC10 that an argument had preceded the crash.

"It was a car. She was on the sidewalk. And she was arguing with some people," the witness said. "Drove straight down into the crowd and hit probably at least 30 people."

Earlier Sunday night, a 34-year-old man was arrested for stabbing a 25-year-old man in his right leg during an argument in a parking lot near Lincoln Financial Field, NBC10 reported.

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