A tragic crash in Philadelphia has claimed the life of an Uber passenger after a man fleeing from police collided with the rideshare vehicle, authorities have confirmed.
Chaotic Morning Pursuit Ends in Fatality
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday, 15 December 2025. Members of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Joseph Cini, 35, for alleged domestic assault. As officers approached, Cini reportedly fled the scene in a Nissan Maxima.
During his attempt to escape, Cini's vehicle crashed into a red Jeep Patriot operating as an Uber. The impact was severe, occurring just before 7:30 a.m. near the location where authorities were trying to apprehend him.
Aftermath and Search for Suspect
The consequences of the collision were devastating. A 63-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the Uber, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 51-year-old male Uber driver was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
Following the crash, Joseph Cini abandoned his damaged car and fled on foot. Video footage obtained by local media captured the moment of the impact and Cini running from the wreckage. He remained at large as of Monday afternoon, prompting an extensive manhunt.
Witness Joey Johnson described the horrifying moment to NBC10, stating the crash "sounded like a bomb." He recounted, "Seeing the parts fly all over the place and then seeing the person in there gasping for life. It was bad."
Appeal for Information
Philadelphia police have issued a public appeal for assistance in locating Cini. Investigators are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Philadelphia Police Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3181.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling or texting the Philadelphia Police tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Specific details regarding the domestic assault warrant Cini was facing have not yet been released to the public.
