High-Speed Chase In ShadySide Ends In Multi-Vehicle Crash, 5 Injured
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Five people were injured after a high-speed chase ended with a crash in Shadyside over the weekend.
Officials say the vehicle involved in the high-speed chase crashed into another vehicle on Baum Boulevard. The head-on collision took place near the Mini-Cooper dealership.
Multiple EMS units responded to the scene.
"It was just extremely loud," said witness Katherine Kruckenberg. "At the time, I wasn't sure if it hit our building. It was just extremely loud."
On Monday, following the incident, Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay issued an internal memo to police officers about chasing suspects.
"It says, in part, "Effective immediately, a member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police may only initiate a motor vehicle pursuit where she/he has reasonable belief the individual(s) in the offending vehicle is involved in a violent, felony crime. Members shall not engage in a motor vehicle pursuit for traffic violations only."
The chief is expected to elaborate on the new policy on Tuesday.
He did go in the memo to say, "Regrettably, too many instances occur where our police pursuits create greater danger to the public than the violations we are seeking to address through enforcement. As a result, I am directing a full review of this policy, as well as our systems of accountability for compliance with this important policy."
Also, the Police Citizens Review Board is looking into the case.
Police say officers tried to pull over the white Chevrolet car at the intersection of North Negley Avenue and Black Street in East Liberty.
"When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed before officers could even activate their lights," Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said.
The chase lasted about five minutes. After the crash, police started digging around the white Chevy.
"They did recover a ballistic vest, two ski masks, and a police scanner from his vehicle," Schaffer said.
Three people were inside the white Chevy. The 23-year-old driver was transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital in stable condition.
A 16-year-old girl, who police say was in the front passenger seat of the car, posted a picture on Facebook of her leg. She is at Children's Hospital.
"When the collision occurred, the front seat passenger was entrapped in the vehicle. First responders did have to cut her out," Schaffer said.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old girl in the back seat was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in critical condition.
"She was unresponsive but breathing when first responders responded to the scene," Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said.
The couple in the other car were on their way to visit their daughter in Bloomfield. They were both taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital with minor injuries.
"They were just traveling to see a family member. Thankfully, they didn't have any major injuries. They were transported to the hospital just to be checked out," Schaffer said.
"The older gentlemen was just confused. He sat in there for a few minutes. He finally got out and was wandering around. I don't think he realized what was going on. Both [in the white car] had to go on stretchers," said Jonathon Thayer.
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