by Incident with a Kia Soul at the Festival
Six people were injured in Pittsburgh when an out-of-control Kia Soul rolled into a crowd during a local festival. Three of the victims are in serious but stable condition in hospitals. The event interrupted a lively public celebration and raised questions about how the vehicle began moving without a driver.
Event Details
Local law enforcement arrived at Broad Street and Centre Avenue in the East Liberty area shortly before 6:30 PM on Sunday, receiving reports that a car had struck festival attendees. The owner of the Kia remained at the scene and confirmed that no one was behind the wheel when the car started rolling.
Cause of the Vehicle’s Movement
Police reported that the Soul’s owner was cooperative and explained that he believed he had put the car in park before walking away. Investigators suggested that he may have forgotten to do so, or the car could have come out of gear on its own and started moving. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of applying the parking brake when a vehicle is left unattended.
Consequences and Victims
The Kia struck five women and one man. Five victims were taken to local hospitals: three in serious but stable condition, two in stable condition. A sixth adult hit by the car was evaluated at the scene but refused transportation to the hospital.
Eyewitness Account
Rikko J.L. Martello, a photographer at the event, recounted that the Kia’s driver was running after the car in a desperate attempt to stop it before it hit anyone.
“I raised my camera to take a picture,” he told WTAE. “And suddenly I see the car approaching along the lanes. I dropped the camera, but it was already too late. They were already injured.”
Legal Consequences
Police indicated that criminal charges are unlikely, as the accident qualifies as an “exclusively accidental” event.
This incident highlights the need to adhere to safety protocols when parking, especially in crowded public places. While vehicle technical malfunctions are rare, such cases can have serious consequences for road users and witnesses. Implementing additional safety measures, such as automatic locking systems, could help prevent similar situations in the future.
