Police: Driver who allegedly killed cop had at least 6 drinks

John Leck Jr. remains hospitalized in stable condition with injuries he suffered during the crash, which killed veteran Highway Patrol Officer Brian Lorenzo

July 11, 2012 07:45 AM

This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Officer Brian Lorenzo. Authorities say Lorenzo was on a motorcycle when he was struck and killed by a vehicle heading the wrong way on Interstate 95, early Sunday, July 8, 2012. Police said Lorenzo was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a 23-year veteran of the force and is survived by a wife and three children. Officers are holding the driver, a 48-year-old man from Levittown, and say charges against him are expected.

By Stephanie Farr
The Philadelphia Daily News

PHILADELPHIA — The man accused of killing a police officer while driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 early Sunday morning was drinking beer and vodka at a T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant before the crash, police said Tuesday.

John Leck Jr. remains hospitalized in stable condition with injuries he suffered during the crash, which killed veteran Highway Patrol Officer Brian Lorenzo, 48, about 3:15 a.m. near the Cottman Avenue exit of I-95.

According to police, Leck’s last known location before the crash was at T.G.I. Friday’s on Street Road in Bensalem. There, he ordered three 22-ounce Coors Lights, one 14-ounce Coors Light, two Three Olives vodka drinks and a pretzel appetizer, police said.

However, Leck paid his bill at the restaurant at 1:16 a.m., nearly two hours before the crash. Police said it’s not immediately clear where Leck was from the time he paid his bar bill and the time of the crash. A manager at Friday’s declined to comment Tuesday night.

Leck, 47, a debt collector from Levittown, is facing charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, third-degree murder and related offenses. Police said they will release Leck’s mug shot once he has been released from the hospital.

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