A student and a staff member of Westinghouse Academy were taken to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle outside of the school in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.See video from newscast in playfinder above Sky 4, Pittsburgh’s only news chopper, showed Pittsburgh police cars and school police vehicles at North Murtland Street and Monticello Street.The crash happened around 3:00 p.m.Video from Sky 4 showed a red SUV being towed away. Debris was scattered on the sidewalk. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said a 12-year-old boy sustained traumatic injuries to his lower body and was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He was taken into surgery immediately, according to police. Officials said child received a blood transfusion in the field as a result of his injuries. His current condition remains unknown. An adult woman was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries, according to school officials. A spokesperson from Pittsburgh Public Schools confirmed that the child is Westinghouse student and the woman is a one-to-one classroom assistant.Eddie Matthews lives nearby and said he saw three people standing on the sidewalk at the time of the crash. “They were on the sidewalk right there by the wall. They were actually up against the wall. It was so quick when it happened, they didn’t get the chance to get out the way,” said Matthews. Matthews believes the car was trying to avoid another vehicle he said was swerving. The spokesperson said the driver was arrested. Pittsburgh police said the driver is cooperating with police. Preliminary investigation indicated the driver was traveling southbound on North Murtland Street when she made a right turn onto Monticello Street. It appears she then continued tracking to the right, causing her to jump the curb and hit the victims on the sidewalk, police said.Officials said alcohol intoxication is a potential factor in the crash. “It’s unfortunate that they were simply standing waiting for transportation and this incident happened,” PPS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 after Wednesday’s board meeting. The district will provide extra support for fellow students and staff on Thursday. “Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with that student and that staff member. We wish them a speedy recovery, and that we hope that we can, you know, not have this type of thing with people who are driving vehicles and creating accidents certainly around our schools,” said Walters. School officials said all after-school activities were canceled. An investigation is underway. This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
A student and a staff member of Westinghouse Academy were taken to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle outside of the school in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.
See video from newscast in playfinder above
Sky 4, Pittsburgh’s only news chopper, showed Pittsburgh police cars and school police vehicles at North Murtland Street and Monticello Street.
The crash happened around 3:00 p.m.
Video from Sky 4 showed a red SUV being towed away. Debris was scattered on the sidewalk.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said a 12-year-old boy sustained traumatic injuries to his lower body and was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He was taken into surgery immediately, according to police.
Officials said child received a blood transfusion in the field as a result of his injuries. His current condition remains unknown.
An adult woman was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries, according to school officials.
A spokesperson from Pittsburgh Public Schools confirmed that the child is Westinghouse student and the woman is a one-to-one classroom assistant.
Eddie Matthews lives nearby and said he saw three people standing on the sidewalk at the time of the crash.
“They were on the sidewalk right there by the wall. They were actually up against the wall. It was so quick when it happened, they didn’t get the chance to get out the way,” said Matthews.
Matthews believes the car was trying to avoid another vehicle he said was swerving.
The spokesperson said the driver was arrested.
Pittsburgh police said the driver is cooperating with police.
Preliminary investigation indicated the driver was traveling southbound on North Murtland Street when she made a right turn onto Monticello Street. It appears she then continued tracking to the right, causing her to jump the curb and hit the victims on the sidewalk, police said.
Officials said alcohol intoxication is a potential factor in the crash.
“It’s unfortunate that they were simply standing waiting for transportation and this incident happened,” PPS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 after Wednesday’s board meeting.
The district will provide extra support for fellow students and staff on Thursday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with that student and that staff member. We wish them a speedy recovery, and that we hope that we can, you know, not have this type of thing with people who are driving vehicles and creating accidents certainly around our schools,” said Walters.
School officials said all after-school activities were canceled. An investigation is underway.
This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.