Priest Runs over Churchgoers, One Dead

by Blue Crush | April 10, 2009 at 10:53 pm

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Forest Hills, PA - An 89 year old woman has been killed, and four others injured, after a priest`s car crashed into churchgoers outside their church on Good Friday.

Madeline Romell had to have her leg amputated, but later died, after being struck while sitting on a bench outside the church. The other four did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The accident happened after Veneration of the Cross Good Friday afternoon at St. Maurice`s Church in Forest Hills, Pennsylvania.

Retired Rev. Elmer Kacinko was driving when his accelerator apparently jammed and he plowed into the patio area where parishioners congerate after the service.

"As far as we can tell, the vehicle drove up over the curb in the entryway to the church," Forest Hills police Sgt. Charles Williams said. "Unfortunately, there were quite a few people gathered there. As the car struck them, they were knocked down. Some people were hit by the car. Some people were hit by other people and knocked down."

"My heart goes out to all of the people hurt and all of the people injured and their families and for Father Elmer," said Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese Bishop David Zubik. "It's important for them to know, myself as their bishop, and Rev. Skirtich as their pastor, we really want to be with them, especially their families."