Key Takeaways:
- A 17-year-old girl, Ishara Kami, was killed in a vehicle accident in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood on Friday afternoon
- The accident occurred when a vehicle slid on icy roads and hit the girl, who was standing on the sidewalk
- The driver remained at the scene and a pickup truck was towed away
- Pittsburgh Public Schools identified the victim and released a statement describing her as a kind and helpful student
- The district is providing counseling and support services to students and staff affected by the tragedy
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic accident occurred in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood on Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old girl. According to authorities, the accident happened at the intersection of Brownsville Road and Woodford Avenue, where a vehicle lost control and slid into a pole before hitting the teenager, who was standing on the sidewalk. The victim, later identified as Ishara Kami, a student at Carrick High School, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she was unfortunately pronounced dead.
Details of the Accident
The accident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday, when a vehicle driving down Brownsville Road started sliding due to icy road conditions. The driver, who remained at the scene, was unable to regain control of the vehicle, which hit a pole before striking the 17-year-old girl. Paramedics immediately began CPR and transported the victim to the hospital, but unfortunately, she did not survive. The driver’s pickup truck was towed away from the scene, and an investigation into the accident is ongoing. At the time of the accident, Pittsburgh was under a snow squall warning, with the National Weather Service issuing a warning about sudden white-out conditions and icy roads.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions at the time of the accident were hazardous, with snow squalls producing sudden white-out conditions and icy roads. A nearby resident, Darryl Hull, described the roads as "frosted over" and said that visibility was "horrible" due to the strong winds. The National Weather Service had issued a warning about the snow squalls, which can produce icy roads in just a few minutes, making it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. The icy road conditions likely contributed to the accident, and authorities are investigating the role of weather in the tragedy.
Victim Identification and Tributes
Pittsburgh Public Schools identified the victim as Ishara Kami, a student in the Health Tech program at Carrick High School. The school district released a statement describing Kami as a "beautiful student" who had recently begun to come out of her shell. She was known for her kind spirit, helpful nature, and genuine care for others, and was well-liked by her peers and teachers. The district’s statement also described her as an "all-around good student" and a "true joy to have in class." The principal of Carrick High School, Dawn Fitchwell, sent an email to families expressing condolences and describing Kami as a student who was "preparing to take her next steps beyond Carrick with her future ahead of her, and her life was tragically cut short far too soon."
Support and Counseling
The Pittsburgh Public Schools district is providing counseling and support services to students and staff affected by the tragedy. The district is coordinating with school leadership to offer support and resources to those who need it, and has extended its deepest condolences to Kami’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the entire Carrick school community. The district’s statement emphasized the importance of supporting those affected by the tragedy and providing a safe and supportive environment for students and staff to process their emotions and grief. Carrick High School, which is just a few blocks from the scene of the accident, will likely be a focus of the district’s support efforts in the coming days and weeks.
