Republicans call for independent investigation after Democratic Senate candidate crashes in Clairton

CLAIRTON, Pa. (KDKA) — The state Senate campaign has become mired in controversy after a candidate crashed a car in Clairton on Saturday, leading to calls for an independent investigation.

The charge alleges that Democrat Nicole Ruscitto, who is seeking to unseat Republican state Sen. Devlin Robinson, left a Terrace Gardens bar and restaurant late Saturday afternoon only to crash her car 150 yards away, even though no police report was taken, no breathalyzer test was administered and her husband drove her home.

Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Sam DeMarco immediately issued a statement questioning why the responding officers did not file a police report or administer a breathalyzer test. He is asking the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to investigate the matter, demanding a “full accounting.”

“While we can be grateful that Ms. Ruscitto did not appear to be seriously injured or injure anyone else in the accident, the facts of the case require a more thorough investigation than we were told the Clairton Police Department conducted,” DeMarco said.

Ruscitto’s car apparently went around a curve and down a hill, then left the road, went up another hill and collided with a telephone pole.

“I spoke to my boss this morning and he basically told me they were investigating and would get as much information as they could and then they would turn it over to me and the council,” Mayor Richard Lattanzi said.

Clairton police did not return KDKA-TV’s phone calls, but Lattanzi said they are conducting an internal investigation but said police appeared to be following procedures.

“It was a single-vehicle accident, police responded and I think she declined medical attention and they went about their business and she left,” Lattanzi said.

In response to emailed requests from KDKA-TV, Ruscitto declined an interview, but a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats said Ruscitto stopped at Terrace Gardens after a long day of campaigning and had one drink while waiting to pick up dinner. On the way home, the spokesman said Ruscitto swerved off the road to avoid a car that crossed the center line.

“It’s very common for a car accident to not have a breathalyzer and not file a police report. The police came and saw no reason to do so. Sam DeMarco is making completely unfounded accusations while Nicole is focused on her campaign and the problems in her district,” the statement reads.

While the mayor says Clairton is conducting an internal investigation, DeMarco is suing the district attorney to conduct an independent investigation to see if special favors were given and if there was an attempt to cover up the incident.