Tractor-Trailer Crashes Into Sharpsburg Refugee Center, Flees Scene

SHARPSBURG (KDKA) – A tractor-trailer crashed into a refugee center in Sharpsburg early Thursday morning.

According to officials at the scene, the incident happened around 6 a.m. in the 200-block of 13th Street in Sharpsburg.

A nearby resident heard the crash and called 911. Also, a firefighter on his way to work saw the accident and followed the truck to Etna.

"He said he did realize he hit it, but he didn't want to stop in an immediate area and create a traffic problem. So, he drove back to the trucking company, where he was going to call 911," John Kimmel, of the Sharpsburg Police Department, said.

Police say the call to 911 never happened because they were notified by someone else.

"One of the local firemen was actually on his way to work and saw it happen and followed the truck," said Kimmel.

The vehicle was also driving the wrong way on a one-way street and hit the building while making a turn.

The driver faces a list of charges including leaving the scene of an accident and damage to unattended property.

Police are also looking at his driving logs and medical documents.

The center suffered significant damage. As a result, a portion of the building will have to be torn down.

Police say the driver did return to the scene later and asked who he could apologize to.

The center, which helps refugees get back on their feet, will have to find a temporary location to continue its work.

"We find them homes, we get them into schools, we find them jobs," said Maggie Metzler with Northern Area Multi-Service Center. "We have about a 98 percent placement."

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