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Survivor recounts wreck that killed 'big sister'
Staff writer
Brandy Curtis lost her "big sister" Monday afternoon when a trailer broke loose from a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction on Route 19 and crashed into their car.
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Kott, 36, of Ellsworth, was pronounced dead at the scene when the trailer broke loose from a southbound pickup truck driven by Ryan Scott Bier, 18, of Canonsburg, and crashed into her northbound car. The wreck occurred in North Strabane Township, near the Meadowbrook development.
Curtis and her 5-year-old daughter, Summer Rush, were passengers in Kott's car. Both were taken to Pittsburgh hospitals for treatment. Curtis had bones shattered in her face and needed stitches to close a wound on her eyelid. Her daughter suffered a brain bruise and broken left eye socket. The girl was seated behind Kott. Also injured was Joseph Stiles Jr., 73, of Washington. His vehicle was struck by Kott's car when she tried to swerve out of the way. He was treated at Washington Hospital.
The three were heading toward McMurray from Washington. They were going to pick up Curtis' cousin, and Kott had an appointment.
"She saw a woman she used to work with when we were stopped at a red light," Curtis said. "She opened the car door, leaned out and waved."
When the light turned green, Kott continued up the hill.
"We were talking. I don't remember even seeing the trailer. I just remember a hard impact," Curtis said. "Michelle's head was on my shoulder. My daughter was passed out. The car was on fire. I kicked open my door and pulled my daughter out."
Curtis took her daughter across the road and went back for Kott.
"They told me it was too late," Curtis said. "I didn't want to hear that. It was just terrible."
Curtis said the car was demolished. Its roof was ripped off.
"We are so lucky to even be alive," she said of her and her daughter. "Looking at the car, I don't know how we did make it."
Curtis had known Kott for about 15 years. She was about 7 years old when Kott started dating Curtis' cousin. Kott remained close even after they broke up.
"Even though we weren't related, she was like my big sister," Curtis said. "She helped me with lots of stuff."
Curtis said her 3-year-old son is afraid to come to her because of her injuries. Her daughter is asking if she is still pretty.
"She has a lot of questions," Curtis said of her daughter. "She'll be going to therapy and counseling with me."
Curtis said her friend is not the only person to be killed when a trailer had broken loose, referring to the Butler County father and two of his three triplets who were killed two years ago in northern Allegheny County.
"Whether it was accidental or not, something needs to be done to make trailers and hitches safer, whether with the manufacturer or legislation," Curtis said. "I want to do something to make it better. Michelle was a great woman. It was not her time to go."
Township police Detective John Wybranowski said investigators have completed all of their interviews. State police obtained a search warrant and inspected the truck and trailer Wednesday. Once the investigation is completed, police will present the case to the Washington County district attorney's office for a determination on whether charges should be filed.
I agree : 12/19/2008
Brandy is right it is time that they look at the manufactues, that are making the hitches. I am sure they will fine it was just an accident, that young boy I'm sure did'nt leave his house that morning plotting to wreck. I know you have alot to deal with now but for others please persue the manf, and not the young boy he maybe a victim also. God Bless You and Good Luck with your recovery. I will keep you and your dght in my prayers. A Friend
No fault : 12/19/2008
I do not believe that the manufactures will be at fault, I believe that it is just a problem with how this was hooked up and if it was hooked up properly. I have a trailer that I pull behind my SUV and it has chains and a lock to keep this from happening. I agree that the boy is not at fault but I also do not believe that the manufacture is a fault either. God bless you and you are in my prayers.
Safety : 12/19/2008
I agree that there are accidents where trailers are not properly attached . My trailers all have safety chains on them, so when we hook-up the chains are also in place.Plus there is a safety latch on the ball.And what makes me upset and mad is that people don't hook up the lights. Its bad enough in daylight but is 10 times worse at night.People need to pay more attention to how they hook-up instead of doing things just to get going. When the truckers start to hook-up their trailers could you imagine what would happens if they did their job half-way. They have to do a complete walk around and check many spots before they can even start their truck.And yes the families of both and in our prayers.It was an accident.
Fatal Crash : 12/19/2008
I seriously doubt that there are many people who get behind the wheel with the intent of going out and causing an accident, but age should never be a factor and if that trailer wasn't properly secured someone should at his family's landscape business should be held accountable.
Terrible Accident : 12/19/2008
This was a very terrible tragedy that has ruined several families forever. My thought and prayers go out to everyone involved. I feel there should be more safety percautions on trailers also. No one ever intends on something like this happening. That's why they are called accidents. I don't feel this boy is at fault. Aren't we all human? No one is perfect & mistakes happen everyday. It could happen to anyone at anytime. I know he will have to live with what happened for the rest of his life. That's the biggest punishment he could ever get. Also the family's landscaping company needs to be kept out of it! Just becuase there family owns a business doesn't mean "the business" did anything wrong!
Crash : 12/19/2008
I am sure this young man was so well trainned on how to hook up the trailer, after all he has been doing it his entire life. My heart goes out to all families involved. They are all going through a great deal of stress and greif. You are all in my prayers. And for Ron to say the family business should be held accountable is sickening to me. It sounds like he is money hungry. This family is hurting enough....TRUST ME
