Lawmaker proposes renaming I-279 interchange in honor of man killed while fixing flat

A state lawmaker has introduced a measure to rename an interchange along the Parkway North in honor of a man who was struck and killed in 2017 by a distracted driver as he was changing a tire.

“Three years ago, Scott Hirsh did everything he was supposed to when tending to a disabled vehicle,” said state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg. “He pulled off onto the shoulder of the roadway and used flares and caution signs, and was still tragically killed by an errant driver who swerved into his path. Sadly, this reckless driver wasn’t prosecuted for his death.”

Kortz has introduced a bill to rename the Camp Horne Road Interchange along Interstate 279 to the Scott F. Hirsh Interchange.

Hirsh, 55, of Pittsburgh, died on Oct. 5, 2017, when he pulled to the shoulder of the road to change a tire on the camper he was towing. A distracted driver swerved and crossed all travel lanes and fatally struck Hirsh.

Kortz, who announced in January that he retiring from his District 38 seat, wrote an amendment to a House bill on behalf of Hirsh that gives pedestrians who use proper safety markings near disabled vehicles the same protections as first responders and roadside workers.

The measure, now Senate Bill 1281, also increased the penalties for drivers who fail to move over or slow down as they approach a disabled vehicle or accident scene.

According to state police, 7,075 citations were issued between 2018-19 to motorists for not adhering to the steer clear law. During that period, police said they issued more than 3,200 warnings.

“My measure to rename this interchange is meant to honor Mr. Hirsh and his family, and I hope it also serves as a reminder to drivers to move over and slow down when they approach disabled vehicles because it could save a life.”