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A 16-year-old male was charged this afternoon with third-degree murder and other offenses in the auto accident that claimed the life of a city police officer on Friday night.
The charges were brought against Andre Butler of the 700 block of North Markoe Street. He was charged as an adult and was being processed at Police Headquarters.
Isabel Nazario, 40, and her male partner were trapped inside their vehicle after the crash, which happened about 9 p.m. at 39th and Wallace Streets.
The crash was so severe - Butler's SUV hit the passenger's side of the police vehicle at a high rate of speed - that the side at the point of impact was completely crushed in.
The two officers had to be cut out with a Jaws of Life device.
Both officers were transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where Nazario, an 18-year veteran of the force, died of massive head trauma.
Her partner, Terry Tull, 38, a 12-year veteran, is in stable condition.
"Officer Nazario was a dedicated public servant who spent her life protecting others," said Mayor Michael Nutter in a statement. "I have tremendous respect for the life of service to this city that she gave and her senseless death is deeply sorrowful. This is humbling reminder of the sacrifice made by a small number of heroes in Philadelphia, so that we can all be safe."
According to police, a Strike Force Unit attempted to stop a 1999 Cadillac Escalade, in the area of 46th and Westminster Ave. The Cadillac fled and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
Nazario and Tull, also from the Strike Force, responded to the pursuit, in an attempt to back-up other officers. The fleeing vehicle struck the marked police vehicle occupied Nazario and Tull.
Police allege that Butler exited the Cadillac and fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended at Union and Mount Vernon Streets.
It is unclear why the officers were chasing the SUV.
Last night, Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and otherhigh-ranking city officials made their way to HUP to comfort the families of the two officers.
Nazario is survived by her mother, her sister, Maritza Mohamad, an officer in the 39th district, and her 13-year-old daughter Jazmine.
Mayor Nutter has ordered all city flags to be flown at half staff for 30 days Nazario's honor. Gov. Ed Rendell has ordered state flags to be lowered as well.
Police said the accident is still under investigation
Contact staff writer Kia Gregory at 215-854-2601 or kgregory@phillynews.com
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