Deadly Crash and Fire on Parkway East Under Investigation by Pennsylvania State Police
PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a tragic crash and fire that resulted in significant delays on the outbound Parkway East during Monday morning’s rush hour. The incident occurred on the ramp to I-376 near mile marker 73 in Oakland, where emergency responders were captured on video by Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
The driver involved, identified as 40-year-old Keturah Griffin from Monroeville, had her vehicle disabled on the road with her four-way flashers activated. At the time of the accident, Griffin was on the phone with dispatchers arranging for a tow truck, and troopers were en route to assist with traffic when the crash occurred. Trooper Rocco Gagliardi reported that dispatchers heard the collision through the phone line.
Witnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that a pickup truck traveling east struck Griffin’s sedan as it was changing lanes. The impact ignited a fire that engulfed her vehicle. “Traffic was a complete standstill. Those first few drivers who witnessed the crash attempted to help, but the flames were too intense for them to reach her,” Gagliardi said.
The driver of the pickup truck, who sustained minor injuries, along with two Pittsburgh detectives passing by, rushed to Griffin’s aid but were unable to rescue her from the burning car.
Gagliardi stated, “For now, no one has been arrested. Everyone on the scene acted appropriately. We will continue to assess speed and other factors in the coming weeks.”
While the investigation is ongoing, initial findings suggest that poor visibility may have contributed to the crash. “Witnesses indicated it was a sudden lane change with limited visibility,” Gagliardi noted. If speed is determined to be a factor, a citation may be issued in the future.
I-376 was closed eastbound following the crash but has since reopened. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to this devastating incident.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.
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