2 killed in Rt. 65 accident near Brighton Heights

PITTSBURGH — Two people were killed in an accident on Route 65 near Brighton Heights Saturday morning, but another person was saved after two passers-by pulled her from a burning vehicle.

The victims were identified as Robert Daniel Jr., 22, of the North Side and Derek Hill, 42, of Brentwood.

Police say Hill was traveling outbound when he crossed the center line and struck a Cadillac, which was headed inbound.  The Cadillac caught on fire with the male driver and a female passenger still inside.

Jon Shingleton and his friend Mike Kay were driving on Route 65 and saw the car on fire. The two friends ran to the scene and used a crowbar to pry the passenger door open on one of the cars.

"We were a little afraid something might blow up," said Shingleton.  "Me and mike said we gotta try. We went around the vehicle. we could see the female in the passenger seat moving."

Flames were coming through the front of the car, and Shingleton said it took about five minutes to get the woman out.

"We pulled her out and I took her down the road a little bit to get away from the flames," he said. "I grabbed her, took her to the ambulance."

The woman was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition, but she's since been upgraded to stable.

Shingleton said, "To save a life. Someone’s in danger, you gotta do what you can to help."

The accident is under investigation.

Cox Media Group