Monica Hart told her husband, Leroy, not to visit her at AHN Forbes Hospital on the night of October 21, 2025.
“I had even said to him, since it was so late, stay home. And he didn’t,” Monica said.
The 88-year-old husband, father, and grandfather lost his life in a violent vehicle collision while trying to turn into the hospital. On Monday, Allegheny County police announced they’ve filed charges against the other driver, Broderick Balanti, 29. As of Monday night, Balanti is still listed as a firefighter with Monroeville Volunteer Fire Company #4.
Court documents said Balanti was responding to a call in his personal car, without lights or sirens, going more than double the speed limit. Police said Balanti was heading north on Haymaker Road, where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour, when he hit Hart’s van head-on.
Hart died less than two weeks later on November 1, 2025.
“His cause of death is the auto accident,” Monica said.
Firefighters across the area held fundraisers for Balanti as he recovered from a head injury he sustained in the crash. It’s unclear how much money was raised by community members. Channel 11 went to the fire station to get a statement from the department but was told no one was available to speak with us.
Monica told Channel 11 she doesn’t hate Balanti but is looking forward to justice being served.
“I’m thankful that he’s now being charged,” Monica said.
We asked Monica what she missed the most about her husband of 57 years.
“Working hand in glove, we worked together. Many times, he’d say something, and I’d say, ‘I just heard that; I was about to say the same thing.’ We would interact together. We were basically one,” Monica said.
Balanti has posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on October 21, exactly one year after the collision.
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