Woman charged in police-involved shooting in Kensington

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) Police say they have arrested and charged a woman after she tried to flee pursuing officers in Port Richmond.

The incident happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to police, on duty officers, operating a marked police vehicle, were traveling eastbound in the 600 block of East Clearfield Street when they observed a 2004 Jeep Laredo driving towards them in the wrong direction. Police say they believed the vehicle was going to strike the patrol vehicle so an officer exited the vehicle and ran onto the sidewalk.

At that time, police say the driver drove the vehicle onto the sidewalk in the direction of the officer. According to police, the officer drew his service weapon and discharged once through the front windshield, striking the operator of the Jeep Laredo in the left hand. Police say the driver drove onto the west sidewalk on the 3000 block of "E" Street, and traveled the length of the block to flee pursuing officers.

According to authorities, the driver then drove to the 2900 block of Richmond Street and while traveling at a high rate of speed, contacted a concrete barrier and careened into a patrol Wagon#2403; the force of impact caused the operators vehicle to roll onto its side.

Police say they identified as 33-year-old Erika Avila aka Erica Lopez. She was transported to Temple University for treatment. According to police, the vehicle Erika Avila was operating was reported stolen earlier in the day.

Police say Erika Avila aka Erica Lopez is charged with: Driving Under the Influence, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault; Theft-Receiving Stolen Property and related offenses.