All charges against the suspect in an October hit-and-run car accident at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center — which left three nurses injured — were dropped on Monday.
The acquittal concludes a high-profile case that drew citywide attention after 21-year-old Jaadir Goodwyn surrendered himself to the police for his involvement in the hit-and-run incident. All of Goodwyn’s initial 29 charges, including aggravated assault, conspiracy, and evading arrest, have been dropped as of May 19.
“This event was a stark reminder of the daily, unacceptable threat of violence against health care workers,” a Penn Medicine spokesperson wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “We ask the public to join us in advocating for stricter penalties against those who seek to harm dedicated health care staff who come to work each day to care for their community, including the federal Save Healthcare Workers Act.”
The spokesperson also emphasized Penn Med’s intent to “continue to advocate for justice” in regard to the case.
On Oct. 12, 2024, Goodwyn and two other men arrived at the hospital’s emergency department in a Jeep Cherokee, seeking urgent medical attention for a man suffering from gunshot wounds. After requesting help at the hospital, the men returned to their vehicle and fled the scene, striking three male nurses and the gunshot victim. One nurse sustained critical injuries, while the others were hospitalized in stable condition.
Goodwyn turned himself in to law enforcement following a press conference held on Oct. 15 by leadership from the Philadelphia Police Department and the City of Philadelphia at Penn Presbyterian. During the press conference, Philadelphia Police outlined an arrest warrant and charges against Goodwyn, including multiple counts of aggravated assault and other related charges.
In February 2025, Judge Zachary Shaffer dismissed 28 of Goodwyn’s charges in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. On Monday, Goodwyn was found not guilty of the remaining charge of evading arrest.
Evidence determined that while Goodwyn drove the Jeep to the hospital, he was not the driver behind the wheel during the incident. Another individual — 21-year-old Samir Murphy — was controlling the vehicle at the time of the accident.
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office released a statement regarding Murphy’s “role as the driver who assaulted three nurses outside of Penn Presbyterian Hospital on the night of October 11, 2024.”
“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office respects the independence of the judiciary in this and all matters,” the spokesperson wrote. “Our Victim Services Unit will continue to assist the survivors of this terrible incident.”
Murphy is scheduled for a trial in September, where he will face multiple counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, and other charges.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Goodwyn's attorney, Michael Coard, expressed that his client feels “vindicated” legally but remains affected by the public scrutiny he endured. Coard criticized the public naming of Goodwyn as a suspect during the Oct. 15 press conference, noting that it led to his client’s “humiliation in the court of public opinion.”
Following the incident, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center swiftly implemented new safety measures, requiring hospital staff to confirm that vehicles are turned off and drivers have exited before approaching. The establishment of this protocol is intended to protect healthcare workers from potential harm while performing their responsibilities.
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