Man pleads no contest in fatal East Falls crash during police chase, is sentenced

A West Philadelphia man who led police on a 2010 car chase that ended with a fatal crash in East Falls pleaded no contest on Monday to fleeing and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Sherrod Jones, 27, was sentenced to the equivalent of time served and two years probation in connection with the Dec. 19, 2010 incident that started near Rising Sun and Roosevelt boulevards and ended near Gypsy and School House lanes.

According to Assistant District Attorney Kirk Handrich, Jones sped away from 35th District officers who attempted to stop the vehicle, which had a cracked front windshield. (Early reports indicated that the trio was suspected in weapons offenses and were seen throwing guns from the vehicle during the subsequent chase.)

After a brief detour near 5th Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, Jones made his way toward the Fox Street exit.

The vehicle would then be seen by a 14th District sergeant on Wissahickon Avenue before turning onto School House Lane and ultimately crashing near the Gypsy Lane intersection.

The crash killed Jones’ passengers and friends Braheem Jefferson and Kalim Robinson and left the driver with broken legs and other injuries. No one else was harmed during the pursuit.

“He should be out [of custody] shortly,” said Hanrich, noting that Jones had been in custody since the crash and was sentenced to a maximum 23-month sentence.

As part of the plea, homicide by vehicle charges were dismissed.