News

Driver, passengers survive after truck plunges off Liberty Bridge ramp

PITTSBURGH — All four occupants survived when a truck crashed onto Second Avenue Tuesday night after falling more than 40 feet from the ramp above.

The accident happened Tuesday about 7:30 p.m. after the truck drove off the Liberty Bridge ramp, landing onto the street below. The truck was badly damaged in the crash.

Investigators said the truck traveled 45 feet through the air. Police said the driver was attempting to turn onto Liberty Bridge when she lost control.

Several witnesses rushed to help following the crash.

“We were just worried about the driver, asking if she was OK. She said she didn’t know what happened, but they thought they lost their brakes,” said one witness.

“I was helping the driver, making sure she was still breathing,” another witness said. “We tried to get her out, but responding officers told us to leave her inside the vehicle.”

Emergency responders said the driver had to be cut out of the truck – but she was conscious and talking with emergency workers. The 19-year-old driver and three men in their early 20s were taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in serious condition.

“God was there today because no one should have walked away from that crash. I am so thankful that those people are still here,” witness Charles Blanchard said.

Pittsburgh Police Commander Scott Schubert said the victims are lucky to be alive.

“They are very fortunate that they are alive. We will have our investigators go through the whole scenario and determined what caused the crash,” Schubert said.

A portion of Second Avenue was closed after the accident, but has since reopened. The crash remains under investigation.