State police said five people were killed in a one-car crash on the Conchester Highway after what might have been an attempted shoplifting in Concord Township.
The incident began in the Shoppes at Brinton Lake. An unmarked police car was on the scene because of recent retail thefts. The trooper noticed a 
red Ford Taurus pull into the parking lot, and three or four occupants got out and approached the businesses. According to the report, “one of the occupants was believed to be involved in a previous retail theft at the shopping center.”
All the occupants returned to the Taurus as the trooper approached in the unmarked car. The Taurus drove to Brinton Lake Road and a traffic stop was conducted at Mill Road. At that point, the Taurus sped off at a high rate of speed, police said, and a seven-mile pursuit ensued along Route 322 lasting about five minutes.
At one point, the Taurus used the right shoulder to pass another car, but the driver lost control and the car slid across the road striking a bridge embankment on the left side of the road and then caught on fire.
There were seven occupants in the car, six passengers and the driver. One of the passengers was pregnant and EMS personnel attempted an emergency C-Section, but the unborn child died. The mother later died at the hospital.
All the occupants were from Philadelphia. Police identified them as Isaiah Miller, 20, the driver, Ikeam Rogers, 20, and Kalyn Billups, 21. Those three were pronounced dead at the scene. The pregnant woman who later died is identified as Tyjana Motley, 17.
The other three occupants who were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries were identified as Kemore Williams, 18, Bishop Young, 20, and a 16-year-old female not identified by name in the report.
Police did not say which store was being watched, but other sources who wish to remain anonymous said they believe it was Lululemon, a store that has been victimized by shoplifting multiple times during the last few months. Those sources also said that speeds of 100 mph were reached during the chase.
The investigation continues.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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