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The plasma donation center was struck by a speeding Hyundai Sante Fe in the 1300 block of Western Avenue around 11:35 a.m.
The people killed were the driver, Ronald K. Morgan, 50, of McKeesport along with two center employees Laura Elaine Meneskie, 35, of Pittsburgh, and Parveena Begum Abdul, 55, of Clairton, according to the Allegheny County medical examiner.
After the Sante Fe hit the building, it burst into flames. Firefighters were called to the two-alarm fire as crews continued to search for entrapped victims.
Ten employees and five donors were inside the building at the time of the crash.
Medics pronounced all three victims deceased on scene.
One person was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and several other people were evaluated on scene.
Among the responding crews, a medic and two firefighters suffered minor smoke inhalation, officials said.
A Mass Casualty Incident notification was issued "due to the severity of the damage and unknown amount of entrapped victims," according to officials.
An investigation is ongoing.
"It's an absolute tragic incident," said Vlasta Hakes, a spokeswoman for Grifols Plasma, which manages Biomat USA, the national network of plasma centers. "We're still trying to process it and are supporting our teams as much as we can."
Ms. Hakes said corporate leaders are headed to Pittsburgh to help manage the situation and added that “we are working to provide support to their families.”
It is unclear when the plasma center will reopen.
A fourth person at the scene was taken to a trauma center in critical condition.
“We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident at our Pittsburgh plasma donor center,” Grifols Plasma said in a statement Sunday. “The safety of our employees and donors is always our first priority. Two of our beloved employees lost their lives and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. We are grateful to the first responders and our employees who acted quickly to prevent any additional injuries. Biomat USA is cooperating with the local authorities as the investigation continues.”
It is estimated that the SUV was traveling at least 100 mph when it plowed into the building, causing a fire and a partial collapse to the structure.
The exact circumstances that led to the crash are unknown.
In a statement, Laura Meneskie's sister Sarah said the following:
“Laura was such a wonderful, caring, loving person. She touched everybody’s life that she was in. Her love for her mom Pat, her dad Fred, her sister Sarah, her partner Sharon, and her nephew Nikko will be tremendously missed by all of us during this time of hurt.”
Memorial and funeral service plans have not been made public.
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