Mom says teenage daughter hit by car in Tarentum after playing ‘Pokemon Go'

TARENTUM, Pa. — A Tarentum woman told Channel 11 News that her 15-year-old daughter was struck by a car Tuesday after playing the popular “Pokemon Go” game.

Autumn Diesroth, a student at Highlands High School, was struck about 5:20 p.m. near the intersection of Ross Street and East Ninth Avenue. She remained hospitalized Wednesday with a collarbone injury, a foot injury and several cuts and bruises.

Autumn’s mother, Tracy Nolan, said the accident happened when her daughter had just finished playing the game and was attempting to cross the street.

Nolan said Autumn came to her Tuesday and asked for her phone.

“She said, ‘Mom, I heard about this 'Pokemon Go,' and I want to play it. Give me your phone,’” Nolan said.

Although reluctant, Nolan gave the phone to her daughter. Less than 30 minutes later, she received a phone call that sent her into a panic.

Nolan told Channel 11 News that Autumn looked down a hill and ran, but was struck by a car.

“The Pokemon game took her across a major highway at 5 o’clock in the evening, which is rush hour,” Nolan said. “No game is worth a child’s life.”

Nolan said the driver stopped and held her daughter’s hand until she was taken to the hospital.

A spokesperson for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC said Autumn isn’t the first patient they’ve seen as a result of the game.

“Parents, don't let your kids play this game because you don't want to go through what I went through last night. I really thought I was losing my daughter,” Nolan said.

Cox Media Group