Bethel Park man dies when tree falls on car
A Bethel Park man was killed last week after a tree fell on his car during a storm that caused widespread damage across the region.
Stephen A. Stasenko Jr., 64, was waiting at a red light at McMurray and Bethel Church Road in Upper St. Clair Tuesday evening when a tree fell across his car and another vehicle.
Stasenko was pulled from the vehicle and taken to St. Clair Hospital, where he later died. His wife, who was a passenger in the car, and a family of six who were in the other car, were not injured.
Stasenko was a longtime employee of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The newspaper released this statement about his death:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our longtime employee, Stephen A. Stasenko Jr. Steve was a well-known presence at the Press and the Post-Gazette for almost 47 years. Our hearts go out to his family, his colleagues here at the Post-Gazette and all those who knew him. He will be missed and remembered fondly.”
Stasenko is survived by his wife, Victoria, and two children.
The National Weather Service visited the region on Wednesday after funnel-like clouds were reported, but determined a tornado was not responsible for damages.
“No tornado,” said NWS meteorologist Pat Herald. “(The team) determined it was straight-line wind. About 70 miles per hour, they figured.”
Under the right conditions, tornados can form at wind speeds of 70 mph, said Herald, adding that tornado or not, wind speeds that strong will cause damage.