Driver, 2 State Troopers Taken to Hospital After Pedestrian Accident in Pittsburgh

A driver and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were taken to the hospital on December 24 in back-to-back car crashes on Parkway North in Pittsburgh.

According to news reports, state police were called out for a disabled car on I-279 near the East Street Exist at mile marker three just after midnight. The driver had left the vehicle and was trying to push it off the road when a pickup truck drove by, struck the driver and fled from the scene. The driver was treated at the scene and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Troopers arrived on the scene to investigate the crash when a passing SUV struck the marked police car with its emergency lights activated. Both troopers were transported to the hospital for minor injuries.

This is not the first time this week that a trooper was injured while at an accident scene. On December 21, a state trooper was also struck and injured by a passing vehicle along Route 31 in Somerset County as he was assisting a disabled vehicle there.

The “Move Over Law” in Pennsylvania

These recent incidents highlight the importance of Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to take specific action when approaching emergency response areas. Under Title 75, Section 3327, motorists must move to a lane further away from any emergency response area or, if that’s not possible, slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

The law, which was strengthened in 2021, applies to a wide range of situations including stopped police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, as well as tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and even disabled vehicles with their hazard lights activated. Violations carry serious penalties, starting with a $500 fine for first offenses and increasing to $2,000 for third and subsequent violations. Drivers can also face license suspensions of up to 6 months for repeat offenses.

These back-to-back crashes on the Parkway North serve as reminders of why the Move Over Law exists. Emergency responders, including state troopers, put their lives at risk whenever they stop to assist drivers on Pennsylvania’s highways. The December 21 incident in Somerset County, combined with these latest crashes, demonstrates a concerning pattern of drivers failing to give emergency responders the space they need to work safely.

If you were injured in a car accident in Pittsburgh, our Pittsburgh car accident attorneys can help. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.