Harrison police investigate Natrona crash near North Canal Street houses

Police are investigating what caused a Harrison man to crash his car into a guardrail, then strike multiple objects in a neighbor’s yard before getting stuck along a short hillside, alarming nearby residents.

Emergency dispatchers received a report shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday of the crash on North Canal Street.

Medics helped the driver get out of his wrecked Chevrolet Aveo and took him to Allegheny Valley Hospital to be evaluated, Harrison Police Sgt. Brian Turack said.

The driver’s injuries are not suspected to be serious. His name was not released.

No one else was injured, Turack said.

The loud bang of the initial crash jolted several residents, including parents with young children who live a few dozen feet away from the dented guardrail. They were grateful the driver didn’t slam into their residence.

“That’s terrifying,” said Cheyanne Straughn, who held her 6-month-old girl and stood beside her 4-year-old son while watching a tow truck clear the car. “It’s just nerve-racking.”

She and other neighbors and the property owner came outside to see what had happened after they heard a crash. They watched the out-of-control driver as he paused, reversed and spun around in their gravel parking lot seemingly with no clear direction before coming to a stop.

“Somehow, he hit into here and ran over my little tree,” said property owner Walt Sproat, gesturing to a small damaged evergreen tree. “And then he backed out and went down over the hill.”

No charges had been filed against the driver as of Wednesday morning.

Harrison police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.