Armstrong Co. Mom Cited After Child Grabs Steering Wheel, Causes Rollover Crash
KITTANNING (KDKA) -- A mother is facing multiple citations after her 5-year-old child grabbed the steering wheel of her vehicle, causing a crash in Armstrong County.
Looking at what's left of the 2000 Ford Escort, it's easy to see why state troopers responding to a rollover crash were thinking the worst.
But 36-year-old Margaret Bosworth, of Elderton, and her two little boys were very lucky Tuesday afternoon.
The accident happened on the stretch of Route 28 that's about a mile-and-a-half past the Slate Lick Exit 18.
Bosworth's 8-month-old son was in a child protective seat, but her 5-year-old son – who was sitting directly behind her in a booster seat – somehow escaped.
"Climbed between her seat and the passenger seat, over the console and grabbed hold of the steering wheel," said Trooper Timothy Amy, of Pennsylvania State Police.
Bosworth, traveling in the left lane, lost control as the car, which was yanked across the right lane, up a slight embankment, caught the guardrail at an angle and was airborne, flipping over onto its roof.
"Very lucky, it wasn't what I expected. I expected the worst," said Trooper Amy. "Thank God it all worked out."
Bosworth was severely shaken up and suffered a deep laceration to her nose and an injured arm. The boys both had minor injuries.
It's not exactly clear how the 5-year-old did what he did.
"I don't know if, for whatever reason, she wasn't paying attention or didn't see him get out of his booster seat or he wasn't properly restrained," Trooper Amy said.
Bosworth is facing multiple citations for not wearing a seat belt herself, for not having her 5-year-old properly restrained, for failure to keep control of her vehicle in a travel lane and for driving on four bald tires.
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