U-Haul Truck Crashes Into Shaler Home; Driver Dies In Surgery

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SHALER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - A driver and passenger were taken to the hospital after a U-Haul truck smashed into a home in Shaler.

The pickup apparently lost control on a steep hill and slammed right into Jim Rutkowski's home. The driver of the vehicle later died during surgery, police say. The passenger remains hospitalized.

Rutkowski wasn't home at the time, but the crash did cause heavy damage to the house. The fireplace is gone, and it'll be a long time before he can stay there again. But so far, he's taking it in stride.

"It seems like another day happening. You go with whatever happens. You know? You just -- oh well," he said.

(Photo: KDKA Photojournalist Aaron Sledge)

For him, there are a lot of worse things that can happen in life. He knows it well.

"I survived cancer about 10 years ago, I'm doing ok with that. I had another medical emergency where I almost bled to death and I was lifeflightd once. I survived that. I can survive this," he said.

Only the family dog was home, and it wasn't hurt, even though the dog's bed is right by the chimney near where the truck crashed. Now Rutkowski is looking for a place to stay.