SUV plows through building in Dravosburg

DRAVOSBURG, Pa. — Officials are investigating a destructive crash that sent a driver to the hospital and left several people displaced Thursday morning.

According to officials, it was around noon when the driver of an SUV lost control while traveling north on Richland Avenue in Dravosburg.

He reportedly jumped a curb, took out shrubbery and launched a street sign into the air before crashing into a building at the corner of Fourth Street.

Chopper 11 captured that street sign on the roof, as first responders swarmed the intersection.

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The driver had to be rescued from the vehicle while first responders simultaneously kept the building from collapsing.

“We had to use hydraulic tools to cut him out of the vehicle while we were trying to stabilize the structure, because when he hit the structure, he took out two supporting I-beams that support the second floor of the building,” said Dravosburg Fire Chief Wayne Cosgrove. “Thank God nobody else got hurt.”

The first story of the building where the SUV landed used to be a consignment shop, but had been unoccupied for quite some time, officials said.

The second story, however, had multiple apartments that housed five people. The structure ultimately proved too unsafe for them to stay. Chief Cosgrove said firefighters were assisting tenants in retrieving their personal items and pets. The Red Cross has also been called to assist.

We spoke with one tenant, whose girlfriend was inside their apartment when the crash happened.

“She was scared, she was lying in bed, above where the car ended up, and they came and told her she had to get out,” said Erik Kisner.

Kisner said crashes frequently occur on the busy roadway, and they previously feared a crash like this could happen. Now, they aren’t sure what’s next.

“It’s a mess, that’s all I can say. I don’t know where I’m gonna go, what I’m gonna do.”

Police were also on scene investigating.

Right now, there is no word on what caused the driver to lose control.

RAW: Car crashes into Dravosburg building

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