Del. police called off chase before South Philadelphia crash that left 3 dead

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Delaware police say a man accused of crashing into an SUV head-on in South Philadelphia, killing three people, led police on a chase in their state shortly before the crash.

Keith Campbell, 29, of Glasgow, Delaware, had been driving erratically on Delaware State Route 4 around 1 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2. When officers activated their lights and sirens, he failed to stop, according to the Newport Police Department.

Members of the Delaware State Police joined the pursuit but say Campbell's driving became too reckless for authorities to continue following him about five minutes into the pursuit.

Authorities say Campbell had apparently stabbed himself before crashing into a 2015 Acura RDX on the 600 block of Packer Avenue.

MORE: Driver charged in head-on crash that killed 3 in South Philadelphia

Campbell was hospitalized in critical condition with 15-20 stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. Authorities later found a bloody knife with a 10-inch blade inside his vehicle.

Three of the Acura's four passengers -- identified as 36-year-old Joseph Ferry of South Philadelphia 35-year-old Kelly Wiseley of Glenolden and 31-year-old Dennis Palandro of Morton -- were killed.

Ferry and Wiseley had become engaged over the holidays.

The SUV's lone survivor was Nicole Palandro, whose husband Dennis was killed in the crash. She is currently listed in critical condition with a broken pelvis.

Campbell was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and related offenses. More charges may be filed.

The Newport Police Department was later notified that the vehicle they had pursued was involved in the fatal South Philadelphia crash. The department is assisting Philadelphia police with their investigation.