Crash that killed pedestrian in Aspinwall spurs lawsuit against driver

The daughters of a woman fatally struck by an SUV earlier this year in Aspinwall are suing the driver.

Patricia A. Doane, of McDonald and Priscilla Pasikowski, of Shaler, filed the lawsuit as co-executors of their mother’s estate.

Judith A. Mierzwa, 83, of Aspinwall, was struck Feb. 5 around 7:08 a.m. by a car driven by Darlene M. Frasher.

Mierzwa died on Feb. 12, the lawsuit said.

Frasher could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

At the time of the incident, police said the driver remained on scene and was cooperating.

According to the complaint, filed Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, Mierzwa was struck while crossing Delafield Road at the intersection of Freeport Road in the pedestrian crosswalk. The location is near UPMC St. Margaret hospital.

The lawsuit alleges Frasher was driving a 2023 Ford Explorer eastbound on Freeport when she made a sudden left turn into the crosswalk, knocking Mierzwa down and seriously injuring her.

“Although decedent should have been clearly visible to the defendant, she did not stop or attempt to avoid the collision prior to its occurrence,” the lawsuit said.

Mierzwa died from her injuries a week later, the complaint said.

According to Allegheny County court records, no charges have been filed against Frasher.

Jim Madalinsky, a spokesman for the Allegheny County Police Department, which investigated the crash, said the findings were sent to the district attorney’s office for review.

“At this time, no charges are expected,” he said.

The lawsuit, which includes a claim for wrongful death, seeks damages for pain and suffering, medical and funeral expenses.