Charleroi toddler to recover after being struck by fire squad truck
CHARLEROI – A 2-year-old Charleroi girl is expected to make a full recovery after she was struck Wednesday morning by a borough fire department squad truck driven by her father.
“She’s fine,” Charleroi Mayor Terry Newstrom said Thursday, when the toddler was expected to be released from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Her father, Mike Roberts, was dropping his daughter off at her baby sitter’s residence when she somehow managed to get out of her seat belt and open the door about 7:30 a.m. at Eighth Street and Washington Avenue, Newstrom said.
Charleroi Regional police said Giavanna Roberts was struck by one of the truck’s tires as her father was backing up and looking to his left. Police said Roberts won’t be cited for not having his daughter in a booster seat at the time.
Police Chief Eric Porter said there is a subsection in the statute that allows a district judge to dismiss such a citation if a parent can prove a child has a booster seat after the ticket is issued.
“He has a booster seat,” Porter said.
Roberts, who is a paid borough firefighter, was not at work Thursday. Borough council addressed the issue at Thursday’s regular meeting by holding a 10-minute executive session.
“There is possible disciplinary action before us on this matter,” Council president Paul Pivovarnik said, “and it is still being investigated. Once that investigation is concluded, we may take action.”
Councilman Larry Celaschi said Roberts’ personal vehicle insurance plan will pay the costs associated with the accident.
Celaschi said he was told the girl was property restrained at the time of the accident.
Staff writer David Singer contributed to this report.