2 people struck by driver at OpenStreetsPGH event
Two people were struck after a driver broke through a barricade at the OpenStreetsPGH event in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
A female driver, later identified as Arielle Scipione, was reported to be driving along the car-free route around 11 a.m. when she allegedly struck an adult male cyclist with her vehicle's sideview mirror at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue at North Braddock Avenue, according to Pittsburgh police.
The man refused medical evaluation, but did confirm to authorities that he was struck and knocked down by the mirror during the incident.
Scipione then proceeded along the course and struck a female cyclist near the intersection of Thomas Boulevard and Brushton Avenue.
The female victim was evaluated at the scene by EMS personnel but was not transported to a hospital.
"Definitely, we're all a little shaken up thinking about what could've happened," said Keya Joseph, director of events at Bike Pittsburgh.
After the second incident, Scipione was apprehended by deputies from the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, who were assigned to patrol the event.
When Scipione stopped the vehicle, deputies say she refused to cooperate, and they eventually had to break a window to get to her.
"I just wanted to get her out of the vehicle, make sure everybody stayed safe, make sure she wasn't going to hit anybody else," explained Lieutenant Darryl Smith with the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office.
According to the criminal complaint, Scipione hurled racial remarks, cursed at officers and allegedly stomped on Lieutenant Smith's foot.
"She was saying what she was saying, but that's just how some people say things. It is what it is," Lt. Smith said.
One of the cyclists hit is a member of Bike Pittsburgh's safety team.
"She was acting to protect event participants," Joseph continued, "She's doing well, a little bruised up."
Organizers say that in over 10 years, an incident like this has never happened.
Scipione now faces several charges, including aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving and resisting arrest.