Tragedy in Pittsburgh Two Dead After SUV Plunges From Overpass
A routine Wednesday afternoon commute turned into a scene of devastation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when a massive five-vehicle pileup on the Route 65 ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge left two people dead.
The collision, which occurred around 3:00 p.m., was so violent that one SUV was propelled over the bridge deck, falling onto Reedsdale Street near Acrisure Stadium.
Key Incident Details
- Location: Southbound Route 65 Ramp to Fort Duquesne Bridge, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Casualties: Two confirmed fatalities.
- Vehicles Involved: Five.
- Road Closure: The ramp was closed for nearly four hours, finally reopening just before 7:00 p.m.
The Victims
Authorities have confirmed the identities and status of those involved:
- Michael Smith (52): The driver of the SUV that flipped off the bridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Unidentified Female: Extricated from the wreckage on the bridge using the “jaws of life.” She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries.
Investigation and Safety Warnings
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando described the scene as “complex” and “heartbreaking.” While the official investigation is ongoing, speed is heavily suspected as a contributing factor.
“It takes a pretty significant amount of speed and force to flip over a bridge deck,” Lando noted, urging commuters to lower their speed. “I drive this route every day… people are constantly flying by me. Please, just slow down. We want people to get home safely.”
The Collision Investigation Unit spent the afternoon recreating the crash amidst a field of debris to determine exactly how the multi-car chain reaction began. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported among the remaining drivers involved.