PITTSBURGH, PA — A high-speed collision involving four vehicles early Monday morning left one man dead and snarled rush-hour traffic on one of Pittsburgh’s busiest thoroughfares. The fatal crash occurred around 1:50 a.m. on Parkway East near the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, closing inbound lanes for nearly four hours as emergency crews worked to clear the devastating scene.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the chain-reaction collision began when a speeding silver Corvette—driven by Donald Lewis—slammed into a Honda Civic operated by Landon Ray. The violent impact propelled Ray’s vehicle into two other cars, creating a mangled pileup that required hydraulic tools to extricate the critically injured Civic driver. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Ray succumbed to his injuries. The other motorists involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at the scene.
The crash’s aftermath created a miles-long backup along the vital artery that carries 85,000 daily commuters. PennDOT crews worked through the pre-dawn hours to remove debris and damaged vehicles, finally reopening all lanes by 5:45 a.m. just as morning traffic began building. “This is one of our most challenging areas to clear quickly due to the tunnel configuration,” explained PennDOT spokesperson Steve Cowan, noting the agency’s rapid response helped minimize the disruption.
Investigators are now piecing together the moments before impact, examining whether excessive speed, impairment, or mechanical failure caused Lewis to lose control. The absence of skid marks at the scene suggests the Corvette may not have braked before colliding with Ray’s vehicle. Traffic homicide detectives are reviewing tunnel surveillance footage and data from the vehicles’ onboard computers to determine the Corvette’s exact speed at impact.
This tragedy marks the third fatal crash on Parkway East this year, renewing calls for enhanced speed enforcement along the winding, high-volume corridor. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office will review the investigation findings to determine if criminal charges are warranted against Lewis.
As Ray’s family makes funeral arrangements, authorities remind drivers that this heavily-traveled stretch—with its sharp curves and merging traffic—requires constant vigilance. The Pennsylvania State Police urge witnesses to contact their Pittsburgh barracks as they work to provide answers about this preventable loss of life.
