Teens Killed In Parkway Crash Weren't Wearing Seat Belts

PITTSBURGH,None — Family members and friends are grieving after three teenagers were killed and two others were injured when a car plunged off Interstate 376 down a hillside and crashed into a grove of trees on Sunday.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office said Derek Phillips, 20, David Rizzo Jr., 20, and Tara Schulz, 18, all of Upper St. Clair, were killed when their car failed to negotiate a curve on the Parkway West at 2 a.m. Sunday just before the entrance to the Fort Pitt tunnels.

Ryan Safka, 18, was driving the car. He and Brendan Johnson, 18, were able to get out of the vehicle and call for help. Both were taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where they're listed in fair condition.

State police said the car went off the interstate and plunged about halfway down the wooded hillside, landing with its underside wedged against trees above the Banksville Road commercial district.

Rizzo's mother told Channel 11 News snow may have provided a ramp and when the driver lost control of the car, instead of hitting into a guard rail and going over it and back onto the road, she believes the snow catapulted them over the cliff and into the embankment.

"He just graduated," said Rizzo's mother, Ann Rizzo. "He was going to go to electrician school. Everybody loved him. They just want him back. His girlfriend made such a change in him and he's 20-years-old and now he's gone."

At Upper St. Clair High School, counselors on the crisis team notified students and staff that students were killed.

The superintendent said both were well-liked successful students.

Troopers told Channel 11 News they don't know if the survivors were wearing seat belts, but that the three who died were not.

Rizzo worked at Al's Cafe in Bethel Park.

"I love him," said co-worker Stephanie Crawford. "My heart goes out to his family. I have never met his family, but as close as him and I were, I feel like I knew them and my heart goes out to them."

Lori Phillips, who is related to Derek Phillips, returned to the scene Sunday.

"It's hard to see a young life go like that. With me, I have kids the same age, but Derek was headed down the right path. He was doing some really good things with his life, and it's hard to see it cut short," said Phillips.

"He was a real nice guy, really outspoken," said Derek Phillips' cousin, Shawn Phillips. "Everybody is really going to miss him. Just an awesome guy."

Toxicology reports are pending. State police continue to investigate the crash.

Donations can be made at any PNC branch to the Derek Phillips and David Rizzo Jr Memorial Fund.

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