Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Andy Chan Dies Nearly 7 Years After On-Duty Motorcycle Crash

Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Andy Chan has died nearly seven years after the devastating 2019 motorcycle crash that left him critically injured, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 announced Tuesday. Chan, 55, was remembered by colleagues as a devoted officer, beloved friend, and cherished family man whose dedication and positivity left a lasting impact on the city he served.

Chan was riding his patrol motorcycle to work in January 2019 when he was struck by a 79-year-old driver on Rhawn Street in Northeast Philadelphia. The collision left him with a traumatic brain injury, and he remained in a coma and on a ventilator for several weeks before eventually stabilizing. Although he later regained the ability to breathe on his own, Chan required around-the-clock care and never fully recovered. Investigators determined the crash was an accident, and the driver was never charged.

Andy Chan and family

The Philadelphia FOP and police officials expressed deep sorrow at Chan’s passing. FOP Lodge 5 President Roosevelt Poplar called it “a sad day in the history of the department,” describing Chan as “one of our heroes.” The Philadelphia Police Department said he was known not only for his skill and professionalism but also for “the infectious energy and dedication he brought to every assignment.” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Chan’s presence “reached every corner of this department and city.”

Chan served 24 years with the Philadelphia Police Department and was widely regarded as a trusted and respected member of the Highway Patrol. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Since the crash, the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation has held an annual Andy Chan Holiday Block Party to support Chan’s family and other families of injured officers. This year’s event, scheduled for December 12, will go forward in his honor. The foundation praised Chan’s strength and perseverance, saying, “He fought for his wife, he fought for his kids, he fought for his family, and he fought for his brothers and sisters in blue.”