Pittsburgh Mother Dies After Being Struck By Steel Cylinder

Aleia Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene after the cylinder rolled down a hill from a construction site and hit her in the head

A Pennsylvania woman was killed when a steel cylinder from a construction site rolled down a hill and struck her in the head.

Authorities have stated that the cylinder broke free from the construction site at the University of Pittsburgh’s Victory Heights and hit 51-year-old Aleia Lopez, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. The incident took place on May 3. A registered nurse who was near the site of the accident tried to administer CPR to Lopez but was unable to save her.

#BREAKING: A hospital employee was killed near the Peterson Event Center in Oakland after a massive steel tube broke free from a nearby construction site, rolled down hill and hit her. The roll came to rest against a truck. Crews on scene investigation. @KDKA #KDKADroneTeam pic.twitter.com/UQCaLMqwAs

— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) May 3, 2024

Lopez was an employee at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, and the facility released a statement regarding her death.

“We are saddened by this tragic incident. Our immediate concern is the well-being of our employees, patients, and visitors. While this was not a UPMC construction site, this tragedy impacted our campuses, and we are providing support services to our employees. Our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family, friends and colleagues.”

The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department released a statement as well about the accidental death.

“At 10:40 a.m., Pittsburgh Police and EMS were dispatched to the 3700 block of Terrace Street in Oakland for a reported female with a head injury near the Petersen Events Center.

Within minutes, medics were on the scene and located an adult female victim with significant, grave injuries to her head. She was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:45 a.m.”

People reported that Lopez’s family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for the costs associated with a funeral, as well as to cover the financial hardship for the family due to her death. With a goal of $50,000, people have fully funded and exceeded the amount by raising almost $80,000 ($78,310). Lopez’s mother, Melanie Hall, mentions that she is survived by her three children, Angelia, Leilani, and Ethan.