Morning Roundup: Pedestrians hit by car on sidewalk; students given possibly contaminated ice; Market Square detours

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Oct. 16:

Pedestrians hit by car on sidewalk

Two pedestrians on a sidewalk near Westinghouse Academy in Pittsburgh’s Homewood West neighborhood were struck by a car Wednesday.

First responders were called to the crash around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Monticello Street and North Murtland Street.

A 12-year-old boy and an adult woman were found on the sidewalk of Monticello Street, near the school.

The boy suffered traumatic injuries to his lower extremities, public safety officials said. Pittsburgh EMS took him to UPMC Children’s Hospital, where he was immediately taken into surgery and is in critical condition.

The woman was in stable condition and taken to a hospital.

The driver, who officials described as an adult woman, stayed on the scene and cooperated with police.

A preliminary investigation shows she was driving south on North Murtland Street when she turned right onto Monticello, public safety officials said. She then continued tracking right, jumping the curb and hitting the pedestrians on the sidewalk, officials said.

Officials said alcohol could be potential factor.

The city’s Collision Investigation Unit responded to the scene. Detectives are reviewing evidence, including camera footage and witness statements.

An investigation is ongoing.

Elementary school students given possibly contaminated ice

Albert Gallatin Area School District Superintendent Christopher Pegg in a letter to families warned that some students consumed shaved ice that may have been contaminated with insulin and broken glass.

The incident occurred at a trunk or treat event at A.L. Wilson Elementary School.

“If you or your child/children consumed any shaved ice and are experiencing any adverse effects, please seek immediate medical attention,” Pegg wrote, asking that anyone suffering effects of the shaved ice also notify the school.

Repairs near Market Square to detour traffic

Construction to repair drainage issues at a Market Square Pittsburgh Regional Transit station in Downtown Pittsburgh will detour buses and other vehicles for about three weeks.

Market Street between Fifth and Liberty avenues will be closed for about three weeks, along with Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue.

The transit authority will be making repairs to a drainage issue that has been causing water to collect at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street.

Construction is expected to occur from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting next Monday, the transit authority said.

The bus-only/right turning lane from Market Street to Liberty Avenue will be closed during construction. Buses will still drive inbound toward Liberty Avenue.

Bus routes 61A, 61B, 61C, 71B, G2 and P1 will not serve the Market Street PRTX station. Riders are encouraged to instead use the existing bus stop on Liberty Avenue at Market Street.

Vehicles will not be able to turn right from Liberty Avenue onto Fifth Avenue during construction. Market Street will be closed for parking and traffic between Liberty and Fifth avenues.

Pedestrians will still be able to get through, PRT officials said.

Pittsburgh warning riders of dangers of chasing buses

Pittsburgh officials on Wednesday said a team dedicated to reducing traffic fatalities will work to educate riders on the dangers of chasing buses after a fatal wreck last month.

The city’s Vision Zero Fatal Crash Response Team had been probing a crash that killed a 50-year-old woman in the Spring Hill neighborhood on Sept. 22.

According to city officials, the woman was running after a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus that was pulling away from a bus stop on Rhine Street. She then ran into a sign post, fell into the road and was hit by the bus, officials said.

Officials said the fatal crash response team — which includes the police bureau’s collision investigation unit — recommended working with the transit authority to educate bus riders on the dangers of chasing a bus.

The team also planned to reinstall a stop sign at the site to improve visibility.

The team is part of the city’s efforts to reduce to zero the number of traffic-related fatalities in Pittsburgh.