3 dead identified in SUV crash into North Side plasma clinic

All of the people killed when a vehicle crashed into the Biomat USA plasma clinic in Pittsburgh’s Manchester neighborhood Saturday morning have been identified.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner confirmed Sunday that two women, Laura Elaine Meneskie, 35, and Parveena Begum Abdul, 55, died at the scene. Both were Biomat employees.

The Medical Examiner identified the third as Ronald K. Morgan, 50, of McKeesport. Morgan was inside the vehicle, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.

An SUV coming off the West End Bridge onto Western Avenue slammed into a wall to the left of the front entrance of the clinic at 1330 Western Ave., leaving a 6-by-6-foot hole in the wall. A witness said the vehicle was traveling at high speed when the impact occurred. The vehicle continued 100 feet into the building before hitting another wall, according to Maurice Matthews, assistant Pittsburgh public information officer.

“We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident at our Pittsburgh plasma donor center,” said Vlasta Hakes, a spokeswoman for Grifols Plasma, which manages Biomat USA, a national network of plasma centers. “Two of our beloved employees lost their lives, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. We are grateful to the first responders and our employees who acted quickly to prevent any additional injuries. Biomat USA is cooperating with the local authorities as the investigation continues.”

In addition to the three who died, another person was taken in critical condition to a nearby hospital, and a fifth was treated at the scene.

Ten employees and five donors were inside the building at the time of the crash. There was a two-alarm fire inside the building after the crash, and people were getting out as first responders arrived.

“I was in the back. I was in the chair just getting ready,” said donor Shane McDevitt. “The whole building just started shaking, and I realized there was a car about 10 feet to my right. There was a small fire, so I grabbed a fire extinguisher. By the time I got that, the employees were pushing everybody out.”

Hissrich said a firefighter was transported to a nearby hospital with undisclosed injuries and one paramedic was treated for smoke inhalation.

City detectives, the collision investigation unit and fire investigators were working to come up with more information about the incident, Matthews said.