Car crashed, driver tackled
A car carrying two young males crashed into the front steps of Congregation Poale Zedeck in Squirrel Hill last night, reaching as high as the first landing and avoiding the actual building. No one was injured. Police are currently investigating the crash.
According to witnesses, the two men exited the heavily damaged Nissan Altima and began running up Shady Ave. as congregants, who were inside the synagogue davening, came outside. About a dozen congregants chased the men and both were quickly apprehended and held until police arrived.
Rocky Wice was the second congregant to reach the car’s driver, who had run just a few houses down the street.
“We held him down and he was ranting about how God sent him, saying ‘God is my father and I love the Jews,’” said Wice. “He did not struggle. He was very incoherent.”
The initial impact of the crash made “the whole building shudder,” said Wice. “Outside, we saw the car emitting large quantities of steam and liquid.”
Both men were held on the ground peacefully by Poale Zedeck congregants; the police and fire department arrived shortly thereafter.
“Police immediately rolled them and cuffed them,” said Wice.
There is no indication yet as to whether the crash was intentional.
The Chronicle will update this story as more information is available.
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