Lawsuit Filed Following Fatal Pittsburgh Wrong-Way Crash
A new lawsuit alleges negligence at a Pittsburgh exit after a deadly DUI collision occurred on Interstate 376 last year.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Crime — General
Douglas R. Kerley has filed a lawsuit against Pedro Olan Morales, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the City of Pittsburgh. The legal action follows a fatal April 2025 head-on collision on Interstate 376 that resulted in the deaths of 52-year-old Shannon L. Morrow and 77-year-old Sharon Orlofske.
Why it matters
The lawsuit claims that inadequate warning lights and signage at the Grant Street exit contributed to the wrong-way entry that caused the crash. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding traffic safety measures at critical urban roadway access points.
Pedro Olan Morales pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and received a sentence of three to six years in prison. The civil lawsuit remains in the early stages following its October 2026 filing in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
The players
Douglas R. Kerley
He is the plaintiff who initiated the lawsuit against the driver and government entities involved in the crash.
Pedro Olan Morales
He is the driver who pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for the maintenance and safety signage of public roads including Interstate 376.
City of Pittsburgh
The municipal government is named as a defendant in the lawsuit regarding local roadway safety infrastructure.
The details
The suit asserts that Morales entered the eastbound lanes of Interstate 376 the wrong way from Grant Street while operating a truck with a blood alcohol level of 0.259%. The collision resulted in the deaths of Morrow and Orlofske, who were traveling in a Nissan Frontier.
Timeline
April 13, 2025: Fatal wrong-way crash occurred on I-376
September 30, 2025: Morales pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle
October 29, 2026: Lawsuit filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern set by the application of Pennsylvania's homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence statute for wrong-way incidents. The civil lawsuit extends these legal consequences by seeking damages from entities responsible for road infrastructure.
The lawsuit underscores the importance of roadway signage and traffic safety protocols for local residents navigating the Grant Street and Parkway East interchange. Drivers should remain alert for specific hazard warnings at entry points that have been flagged in recent court filings.
The takeaway
Wrong-way driving incidents continue to be a significant safety concern, highlighting the importance of clear signage in high-traffic urban areas. Families affected by similar tragedies often turn to civil litigation to address perceived failures in public infrastructure safety.
Further reading
For additional coverage, visit the Crime — General section to see more local legal updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
