Driver arrested after hitting patrol car and crashing into a West Philadelphia apartment, police say

A driver has been arrested after fleeing the scene of two hit-and-run crashes in West Philadelphia Monday morning. The crashes sent another driver to the hospital and damaged a building and a police car. 

The first crash happened shortly after 3:30 a.m. at Spruce and South St. Bernard streets in the Walnut Hill neighborhood, where police said the driver of a blue Tesla hit the side of a police car before fleeing the scene.

The car had minor damage, and the officers inside were not hurt. 

According to police, the 35-year-old driver refused several commands to park and exit the car, and instead drove away northbound on 50th Street.

A few minutes later, officers responded to a crash at 50th and Walnut streets in Cobbs Creek, where the same Tesla collided with a white 2014 Chevrolet Impala at the intersection and then crashed into a nearby apartment.

The driver of the Impala was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

The couple who lives in the ground-floor apartment told CBS News Philadelphia they used to sleep in the room that sustained the most damage, but moved their bedroom because of concerns about the dangerous intersection.

"I didn't feel safe being on this road because of how many times people crash," said Scarlett Delorme. Delorme said the room hit by the car was being used as a photography studio and was filled with all her gear. 

"I can't even assess any of that yet, but it was scary, because it was still smoking," she said.

Meanwhile, the Tesla driver ran away on foot and was last seen by witnesses heading north on Walnut Street. The man was later found by police at a home on the 4900 block of Spruce Street, where he was arrested. 

The driver faces several charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated assault and related offenses.

The incident remains under investigation.