Cop used his foot to nudge man lying in street before leaving him to be hit by car

A Philadelphia police officer nudged a man lying on the street with his foot and then left the scene, only to have a car later strike the victim. The victim, Eugene Beauford, 48, was walking unsteadily along a bike lane on the night of August 27 when the officer approached him around 1:40 a.m. Video shows Beauford staggering and then falling, after which the officer exited his vehicle, stood over the prone man, and used his foot to nudge him before returning to his car and driving away.

Within five minutes of the officer’s departure, a green Kia entered the bike lane and collided with Beauford, who was still on the ground. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Bystanders later moved Beauford to the curb and called 911, and emergency responders – including the officer who had first approached the victim – arrived at the scene. The officer again failed to provide aid and did not file a police report.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced that the officer has been suspended for 30 days and that the department intends to terminate his employment. Bethel emphasized that the officer’s actions violated the department’s code of ethics, which requires officers to serve the community and safeguard lives.

Beauford was transported to a hospital where he later died. The department only learned of the fatality after the medical examiner’s office notified them. Authorities have located the driver of the green Kia, but no arrest or charges have been announced yet.