A 37-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly causing a five-vehicle accident in Wilkinsburg that injured nine people Thursday night, authorities say.
Pittsburgh police said several police cars and ambulances responded to the area near Penn Avenue and East Swissvale Avenue around 10 p.m. One vehicle could be seen on its side.
Police said detectives stopped Dior Richardson in a traffic stop at a different location, and he allegedly fled. Police said they did not chase the vehicle. Officers later came upon the crash and recognized the car.
Police said six people were taken to the hospital, none in critical condition. Three other people were treated on-scene.
Pittsburgh City Councilman Khari Mosley said in a Facebook post that he was at the scene. He said when the driver fled from the traffic stop, police followed city policy by not pursuing in a high-speed chase.
He said the driver collided with four other vehicles at the intersection of Penn Avenue and East Swissvale Avenue. Mosely represents Pittsburgh’s ninth district.
Wilkinsburg police and the ATF were also at the scene.
Richardson is facing charges that include aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. He’s also facing several counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, as well as several summary offenses for traffic law violations.
According to court documents, Richardson was awaiting arraignment Friday afternoon.
