Philly Cop Charged In Fatal Off-Duty Accident

PHILADELPHIA – A three-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal accident that occurred in January this year. The officer was off duty when he struck a pedestrian who eventually died from injuries in the accident.

According to city police, Adam Soto, 25, has been charged with felony homicide by vehicle and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter stemming from the Jan. 13 incident, according to police.

Soto has since been suspended from the force, with officials planning to formally dismiss him after the suspension expires, police said.

Soto turned himself over to the police Internal Affairs Unit Wednesday after an investigation by the department's accident investigation division.

The investigation claims Soto was driving his personal vehicle more than 80 miles per hours while off duty on the morning of Jan. 16, 2017, according to authorities.

At about 11:30 a.m., Soto struck a pedestrian, 50-year-old Daniel Dimitri, who died at about 12:30 p.m., police said.

Soto struck Dimitri as he was driving east on Cottman Avenue and Dimitri was reportedly running across the street, police said.

Soto was released after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail Wednesday and is set to appear for his preliminary hearing on May 10, court records show.

"After a comprehensive investigation, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has charged Officer Adam Soto in the death of Daniel Dimitri," Kathleen Martin, First Assistant District Attorney, said in a statement. "This is a particularly egregious act, not only because it took place mid-morning on a well-traveled intersection, but because Officer Soto, who once took an oath to serve and protect, is charged with literally running down and killing one of his fellow citizens."

Additionally, the investigation revealed another off duty Philadelphia Police Officer, 25-year-old Tony Forest, was driving his personal vehicle recklessly on Cottman Avenue at the same time and in the same direction as Soto, police said.

Forest has not been hit with criminal charges, but is facing departmental violations. Forest, a three-year veteran of the force, has also been suspended and will be dismissed after the suspension ends, police said.

Image via Philadelphia Police Department