A stabbing on Interstate 476 in the Main Line area Sunday evening led to a police pursuit, an officer-involved crash and a brief lockdown at Villanova University as authorities searched for people connected to the incident.
The confrontation began around 5:30 p.m. on the southbound Blue Route near the Radnor Township and Lower Merion Township area. Authorities said two people later taken into custody were involved in the incident, which began after an altercation between people traveling in separate vehicles. The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Police pursued a suspect who left the area in a U-Haul truck. The chase moved off I-476 and into the surrounding Main Line communities, prompting multiple law enforcement agencies to respond.
During the pursuit, a Lower Merion Township police officer was involved in a crash near Pennswood Road and Montgomery Avenue. The officer was taken to a hospital for evaluation and was later treated and released, according to the latest reports.
The U-Haul was eventually abandoned near Lancaster Avenue and County Line Road. Authorities then continued searching the surrounding area on foot. A knife believed to have been discarded during the incident was recovered by police.
The search brought police activity close to Villanova University. The university issued a shelter-in-place and lockdown alert at about 6:10 p.m. as a precaution while officers searched nearby areas.
The lockdown was lifted about 30 minutes later, after authorities had taken the people they were seeking into custody. One arrest was made near Unkefer Park, while another person was also taken into custody during the response.
Villanova University said the stabbing did not take place on its campus and did not involve the university or members of its community. The school temporarily suspended bus and shuttle service while the lockdown remained in effect.
Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the surrounding community after the arrests.
The victim’s condition beyond the report of serious injuries has not been publicly detailed. Police also have not released the identities of those taken into custody or provided a detailed explanation of what led to the confrontation.
Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation. Additional details, including possible charges and the circumstances that preceded the stabbing, are expected as the investigation continues.
