Six people were injured when an unattended vehicle rolled into a crowd at a festival in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Police said officers were called just before 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, to the East Liberty Black Arts Soul-Steppin, Boots-on-the-Ground Wellness Festival, Harambee Style and Parade.
“In total, six victims were reported—five adult females and one adult male,” officials stated, noting that witnesses saw the “slow-moving” car drifting without a driver.
Five of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Three were in serious but stable condition, while two were listed as stable. The sixth victim was treated at the scene and chose not to be transported.
By the time patients arrived at the hospital, their conditions were “quickly upgraded to stable,” police later confirmed, adding that no one remained hospitalized.
Authorities said the vehicle’s owner stayed at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and explained he believed the car had been placed in park before he stepped out.
“The incident was determined to be purely accidental in nature,” police reported. “There were no arrests and no charges are forthcoming.”
Event photographer Ricco J.L. Martello told ABC affiliate WTAE-TV that he witnessed the accident as it happened.
“Next thing I know, I see the car coming up in lanes. I dropped the camera, and they were … it was already too late. They were already getting hit,” he said.
Martello and other witnesses explained that the vehicle began rolling only after the driver had exited, and that the man attempted to chase it down once he realized what was occurring.
Festival host Anita Drummond, whose relatives were among those injured, also described the crash as accidental, according to WXPI.
“It was a freak accident. Probably the gears didn’t shift or something,” she said. “Then it rolled into everyone. But unfortunately, you know, people got injured.”
