Oct 26, 2025 By Jon Andreassi 3 min read

Josh Hartman was not sure if it was his wife on the ground after a utility pole fell following their son’s soccer game last week.

“As I took a couple more steps, I realized it was her,” Hartman said.

Dezzarea Hartman, a kindergarten teacher at Claysville Elementary School in McGuffey School District, was struck by a utility pole broken by a downed tree on Oct. 19 at Evans Field in South Park.

Josh Hartman said she suffered three vertebrate fractures. She underwent surgery and had rods and screws inserted in her back.

Josh said Dezzarea was holding their 3-year-old daughter, Brynn, and walking back to their car when the accident occurred. Brynn was unharmed.

“I still don’t understand how Brynn survived unharmed,” Josh said. “I don’t like to think about what could have happened. I just feel really blessed that the outcome, while horrible, could have been so much worse.”

In the days following the accident, Dezzarea’s friend Megan Scott set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the Scott Township family with their medical bills. As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser had received nearly $50,000 in donations.

Josh said Scott had asked for permission to create the GoFundMe. He expected a few hundred dollars, maybe $2,000 at most.

He called the outpouring of support “absolute insanity.”

“It’s very touching. It’s emotional that people would reach out and help us … That’s not a small thing to give money,” Josh said.

Josh expressed gratitude for many people at the scene who helped his wife and family. He said Anthony Pistorius jumped in to help hold Dezzarea despite having to reach through live wires.

He also credited Sarah Jakubovic, a nurse, who prevented others from administering CPR.

“I just remember her refusing to leave Dez’s side. She was the only medically trained person. If they had given her CPR, it would have been a horrible mistake from the injury she had,” Josh said.

Josh said Dezzarea has been recovering at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, and will soon move to a rehabilitation facility in Sewickley. He described Friday as being an “encouraging day,” with Dezzarea being able to stand and take some steps.

He described his wife as a long-term planner, and said she had been concerned about setting up plans for a substitute teacher and eventually getting back into her classroom.

“I think it’s sinking in that she can take a little more time. It certainly helps with the GoFundMe,” he said. “I think that GoFundMe really, really helps take some stress off of her.”