Multiple people arrested after police called to Kennywood Boulevard during march for teen killed in pedestrian crash

Several people were arrested Sunday after a protest honoring a 13-year-old boy killed in a crash along Kennywood Boulevard ended in a confrontation with police.  

West Mifflin Police said that four people were arrested, including the boy's father, after demonstrators blocked traffic along Route 837. Court records later showed that six people were charged.

Police said that pepper spray was used to disperse the crowd and one officer was injured.

"I wanted to do a peaceful protest so I could get answers, so I could get my voice heard about what's going on with my son because I'm not getting the answers that I want or need," said Naomi White.

Dozens of people gathered along Kennywood Boulevard to honor Terrel Byars, Jr., who was struck and killed by a vehicle in December.

White said the protest was meant to demand answers and push for safety changes along the road where her son lost her life.

"We was walking with majority of kids, my son's friends and family and it was all interrupted for no reason," White said.

West Mifflin Borough Police Chief Gregory McCullough said Sunday that when officers approached demonstrators who began blocking traffic, they refused to move out of the roadway along Kennywood Boulevard.

That's when McCullough said his officers had to step in. 

"We received many calls and our officers responded to remove the individuals from the roadway," Chief McCullough said. "At some point when officers were trying to remove some individuals off the street they got a little aggressive. Our officers had to make a couple arrests and pepper spray was utilized to disperse the crowd."

McCullough said if police had been contacted ahead of time, officers could have helped organize the protest safely.

"All they have to do is contact me and West Mifflin Police will be more than happy to make this a safe peaceful thing," McCullough said.

According to police, the officer who was injured during the encounter did not require hospital treatment. 

West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly released a statement on the incident on Sunday evening.

"The West Mifflin Police Department along with neighboring departments responded to a planned information march on Kennywood Boulevard. Had our police department been notified in advance, the department would have arranged an escort to help ensure the safety of everyone involved.

We recognize that people grieve in different ways, and for some, bringing their grief into the public sphere can be part of the process of seeking understanding and closure.

However, civil disorder does not serve that purpose and instead creates barriers where compassion and unity should exist.

Our department continues to work closely with the family as they endure the unimaginable loss of a child. As a community, we all feel the weight of such tragedies. Many of us are parents ourselves, and each loss touches us deeply."

The investigation into the crash that killed Byars Jr. is still ongoing.