Speed is believed to be a factor in a two-vehicle crash Sunday in Harrison, authorities said.
Police Chief Brian Turack said he expects charges to be filed against the driver of a pickup truck involved in the wreck, which happened about 3:30 p.m. along Freeport Road. The name of the driver will be released if charges are filed, he said.
“We are working with Allegheny County to determine the truck’s speed,” Turack said. “We’re grateful for the witnesses who stuck around to talk to officers.”
Crews were called to the intersection of Freeport Road and Altermoor Drive, just outside the Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Company.
According to a police report, a 19-year-old from Allegheny Township was driving the pickup south along Freeport Road in the passing lane when it struck the left side of a car driven by a 73-year-old man from Harrison.
The car was turning left onto Freeport Road from Altermoor Drive, police said.
“The truck struck the car on the left side, causing the car to cross the road to the firehall and strike a telephone pole, severing it,” Turack said.
The driver of the car was taken to the hospital in stable condition but will require surgery, Turack said.
After the collision, the truck slid into the firehall’s garage doors and caught fire.
An off-duty Freeport firefighter was able to extinguish the flames before emergency crews arrived at the scene.
A release issued by the fire department did not name the responder but said the person was able to enter the fire station and quickly put out fire.
No information on structural damage has been released.
Fire Chief Jules Beer was not immediately able to be reached Monday.
Turack said he is grateful for the volunteer firemen who responded from multiple agencies.
Crews responding to the crash included Harrison Hills, Citizens Hose Fire-EMS, Hilltop Hose, Freeport Fire-EMS and Harrison police.
