Suspect shot after his vehicle hits 2 cops

Luck was apparently on the side of two cops who were mowed down by a motorist in North Philadelphia last night.

The drama started about 9:45 p.m., when police stopped a suspected stolen vehicle at 16th and Oxford streets, police said.

They were joined at the scene by two Highway Patrol officers, George Orth and John Sykes, who got out of their cruiser with the intention of approaching the Isuzu Rodeo, said Highway Patrol Capt. Michael Cochrane.

The motorist slammed on the gas and rammed Orth and Sykes.

Amazingly, Cochrane said, both cops suffered only minor leg injuries. They were admitted to Temple University Hospital in stable condition.

The two other officers were not injured.

One cop opened fire on the fleeing vehicle, getting off about 10 shots, one of which wounded the driver in the leg, an investigator at the scene said last night.

The motorist, whose name was not released, was captured at 25th and Arlington streets moments later, the investigator said.

He was admitted to Temple hospital in stable condition.

- David Gambacorta