Car Crash Into Synagogue In Squirrel Hill

An investigation is underway after a car crashed into the fence of a synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

Witnesses said the driver was speeding when he crashed through the fence at Congregation Poale Zedeck Synagogue in the 6000-block of Phillips Avenue.

The vehicle ended up on the steps of the orthodox synagogue and stopped just short of the building.

Moments before crashing into the synagogue, the same vehicle was involved in another accident.

The victim in the initial crash told police that they were traveling west in the 5800-block of Forward Avenue when the Adam Disabato's car made a right turn onto the same street.

Disabato, 30, who was traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control of the car and skidded over the median divider and into the driver's side of the victim's car.

At that point, Disabato backed up and fled the scene.

After the crash at the synagogue, witnesses were able to catch up with the suspects and detain them until police could arrive.

"This car cut us off basically it went by so quickly that it shook our car and we saw it jump up on the steps, we saw some sparks," Chaim Shollar said. "And the driver jumped out the window, the passenger came out of the door and then the driver grabbed the passenger by the hand and they started running up the street."

The damage at the synagogue is estimated at about $30,000.

About 100 people inside the synagogue at the time but no one was hurt.

Medics were called to the scene to treat Disabato's passenger who said he was injured when the airbag deployed. The passenger was released and transported to a Social Service Agency upon his request.

Disabato was arrested and is facing several charges including: reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property.

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• Squirrel
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• Congregation
• Poale
• Zedeck
• Jewish
• Jews