Ross Police Amazed Woman Survived After Car Crushed by Truck

When officers arrived at the scene of at the intersection of Perry Highway and Cemetery Lane, they feared the worse.

"There was little doubt this would be a fatal accident, based on their initial observations," said Ross Police Sgt. Benjamin Dripps. "The truck, empty, weighed 33,000 lbs. and it landed on the roof of a woman's car."

Fortunately, the officers' initial assessment was wrong. The driver inside the mangled metal was not only alive, but also conscious and alert. 

Firefighters worked for nearly an hour, cutting the roof and doors off of the car, before freeing the woman trapped inside. She was taken to Allegheny General Hospital with what were described as serious, but not life-threatening injuries. There is no word on her condition.

Police say the Schwan's food service truck, loaded with frozen pizzas, was turning southbound off of the ramp from I-279 when it tipped over and crushed a Toyota Camry, which was in the northbound lane of Perry Highway.

Police say the truck driver is likely facing citations. 

"Based on witness statements, it seems likely that the operator of the truck was traveling a higher speed than is posted for that roadway and that is likely in an attempt to beat the traffic light," said Dripps.

The truck driver managed to climb out of the cab. He was also taken to Allegheny General Hospital for mostly cuts and bruises. Neither driver's name has been released.

The interesection was closed for nearly 6 hours. Before the truck could be uprighted and towed away, all of the frozen pizza had to be removed. It was donated to several food banks.

"Rarely does anything good come from a crash like this," said Dripps. "But at least people will benefit from the donated food."