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Published on January 17, 2025
One Fatality Confirmed as Vehicle Plunges into Creek off Parkway East Near Squirrel Hill TunnelSource: Google Street View

In a tragic incident early this morning, one person has been confirmed dead following an accident on the Parkway East. A vehicle veered off the highway, descending into a creek near the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. The event unfolded sometime after 8 a.m., and the car landed upright in the water beside Commercial Street.

Emergency response teams, including Pennsylvania State Police, hurried to the crash site beneath the parkway. The WPXI report noted that while the investigation is ongoing, limited details were available immediately following the incident. Traffic was significantly affected due to the accident, with PennDOT reporting that the outbound lanes of the Parkway East were constricted to a single-lane, urging motorists to proceed with caution.

As crews worked the scene, one lane of the parkway was closed causing substantial delays, though it was reopened by approximately 10:45 a.m., as reported by Audacy. For those seeking to bypass residual congestion, an alternative path advised involved exiting at the eastbound/outbound Parkway at Forbes Avenue and traversing through Oakland, despite the heavy traffic in that area as well.

The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of the next of kin. Pennsylvania State Police are handling the investigation. Local drivers are encouraged to check traffic updates and choose routes accordingly to avoid further disruptions as the aftermath of this morning's calamity continues to impact travel in the area.