Grandmother killed in head-on crash on East Carson Street was driving to meet newborn grandson

PITTSBURGH — A grandmother on the way to visit her newborn grandson was killed while en route to the hospital on Monday.

Mary Alice Bendick took a half day of work, then took East Carson Street and headed toward Magee. She called her daughter, Shelby, on the way.

“She was so excited to have a third grandchild,” Shelby Thompson told Channel 11. “She was so excited to leave work and go down there.”

While en route to Magee, Bendick was killed. A truck crossed the center line and slammed into Mary Alice’s SUV.

>>> Woman killed, another injured in multi-vehicle crash on Pittsburgh’s South Side

“It just feels like a nightmare. To see someone one second, and then get a call a couple later, and they’re gone,” Thompson said.

Bendick’s husband is a train conductor and told Channel 11 that the crash halted his trip on the train tracks, and he had to wait until it was cleared.

He had no idea that the woman who was killed in that crash was his wife.

“Being with my dad for 34 years, and to lose your best friend in such a sudden and senseless way, it’s heartbreak,” Thompson said.

According to Channel 11 sources, the woman driving the truck was highly intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Sources say, the woman is a former City of Pittsburgh medic and was let go from that position for showing up to work drunk this past fall.

Channel 11 is not identifying the driver by her name, because at this point, she has not been charged.

“I want to get justice for her. I want to look this lady in the eye and tell her to her face what she took, not only from our family, but from my dad, and my brother’s family, and her friends,” Thompson said.

For now, looking at pictures of her mom is what keeps Thompson going.

“I’m happy we have those memories to share,” she said.

Channel 11 has reached out to Pittsburgh police to find out the latest in this investigation, and if this woman will be charged. At this point, we have not received a response.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. Click here if you would like to donate.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group