Hit-and-run driver leaves East Vandergrift family struggling for holidays

A hit-and-run driver left an East Vandergrift family in a holiday lurch after smashing into all four of their vehicles Tuesday outside their residence along Kennedy Avenue.

Heather Bothell said she heard loud banging and crashing sounds about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday while in her home.

Bothell immediately ran outside and saw a Chrysler driving away. The driver left behind damage to the cars and a brick garage next door to Bothell’s home.

Courtesy of Heather Bothell

One of four damaged vehicles struck by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday along Kennedy Avenue in East Vandergrift.

Only one of the family’s four cars is running, and even it has issues, Bothell said.

“We are down to one car, and it’s been rough. It’s also right before Christmas, so my youngest son is taking the one car that we can still drive to work.”

Bothell, 44, and her son, Jay, 22, are members of the Oklahoma Borough Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s caused so much stress just before the holidays. The driver has left three of us vehicle-less, which may affect our jobs, and, now, we can’t respond to our local fire hall for fire calls,” Jay Bothell said. “It’s deeply affected me because I was out of work a month due to a work injury, and the Jeep was to be sold to help me financially. And now it’s totaled. I now have zero funds and am super far in debt.”

Heather Bothell works full time at Cook Medical and usually works overtime in December to earn extra money for the holidays.

“I have not been able to work overtime because of logistics with three people sharing one car now,” Bothell said. “I’m a single mom, and I rely on the overtime. And I’m losing money.”

Additionally, Bothell planned to hunt deer next week but said she can’t take their only functioning car and go hunting all day.

“I won’t be able to fill my freezer with venison like normal. Venison is a lot of our meat sources,” Bothell said.

Heather Bothell said Vandergrift police are investigating and told her the hit-and-run car was located in Parks Township, but she was not sure whether charges have been filed against the driver.

Vandergrift police have not responded to requests for comment. Parks Township police Chief John Arce said he was unaware of any investigation.

The Bothells said they submitted video from their security camera to assist police.

“I’m praying that insurance covers the losses. We’re down to one car indefinitely for now,” Bothell said.

Bothell thanked members of the Vandergrift Police Department and the friends and family member who have helped since the crash.

“Fortunately, nobody was injured, and I thank the police for their swift response and their work on the investigation. It was a devastating moment for me, and they were so very kind,” Bothell said.