6 Students Struck By Vehicle, Injured In Hill District
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Chrysler sedan plowed into a group students as they were walking home from school Tuesday afternoon in the Upper Hill District.
The six students, all from Pittsburgh Milliones University Prep, were struck by a teenage girl who was driving a black Chrysler 300. She and a male passenger initially fled the scene, but later returned. Four of the students were walking on the sidewalk, the other two in the road.
According to Allegheny County, the accident happened just before 2:45 p.m. along Centre Avenue at Ewart Drive. The road was closed in the area for much of the afternoon while police investigated, but has since reopened to traffic.
The car was eventually placed on a flatbed truck, and taken away to the pound. Police will continue checking for any possible mechanical malfunctions as they look for answers, including the possibility of driver error.
"Was there any issues with the car, any issues with the driver, with the road conditions, anything like that. That all goes into part of the investigation," said Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Ed Trapp.
Pittsburgh (Upper Hill District): Vehicle crash involving multiple pedestrians w/injuries - Centre Avenue at Ewart Drive. Road is closed in the area. Responders are at the scene.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 9, 2018
Wendell Hissrich, the Pittsburgh Public Safety Director, said, "I want to emphasize that the quick work by first responders may have made a difference today, and for that, we should be all thankful."
Four students were being treated at Children's Hospital, and two others were taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
Though some of their injuries were reported to be serious, none are believed to be life threatening.
"Our focus has been on the students who are at the hospital. Obviously, we want to make sure that they are with their families. We have district administration, as well as school administration there supporting the students. We find it very important that they are our first and primary focus," said Pittsburgh Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Melissa Friez.
The teenage driver was taken into police custody for questioning. She was also a student Pittsburgh Milliones.
KDKA-TV caught up with a teenager who witnessed the accident. She also went to the hospital to be checked out, but she did not want to be identified.
The girl said, "When I turned around, the car had already hit one person, then the next second, the others were hit. It was over in just seconds."
The girl said she didn't think the driver of the car knew how to drive.
All Tuesday after-school activities were canceled at Pittsburgh Milliones after the crash.
One neighbor and officials agreed, this accident could have been a lot more serious.
"The kids come out of school, there's a lot of kids around the intersection, and it's hard for security to contain them sometimes. They come walking down the street, and there's always traffic in the middle of the day," said neighbor Maurice Redwood.
