Beechview Residents Demand Action After String of Parked Car Hits

Drivers have repeatedly struck vehicles on Methyl Street, leaving residents frustrated and seeking solutions.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Residents of Methyl Street in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood have experienced multiple incidents of drivers hitting their parked cars in recent years, leading them to call for changes to improve safety on the narrow street. Surveillance footage captured one recent incident where a driver struck a resident's car multiple times while attempting to park, and the resident says this is the third time his vehicle has been damaged in this way. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is investigating the latest incident, but residents want more permanent solutions like lower speed limits, speed bumps, or making the street one-way to prevent future collisions.

Why it matters

The repeated incidents of parked cars being hit on Methyl Street highlight the challenges faced by residents in dense urban neighborhoods with narrow streets. These types of collisions can be costly for car owners, disruptive to the community, and raise broader questions about street design and traffic management in areas with limited space.

The details

On February 6th, a driver in a Toyota pickup truck hit Paul Skelly's Mazda multiple times while attempting to park on the narrow Methyl Street as a school bus was approaching. Surveillance footage captured the driver getting out and appearing to realize he had struck Skelly's vehicle. About 45 minutes later, Skelly found a large portion of his front bumper on the street and another part hanging off. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is investigating the incident to determine if any charges will be filed against the driver.

  • On February 6, 2026, a driver in a Toyota pickup truck hit Paul Skelly's Mazda multiple times while parking.
  • About 45 minutes after the incident, Skelly found parts of his front bumper on the street.

The players

Paul Skelly

A resident of Methyl Street in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood who has had his car hit multiple times in recent years.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

The local law enforcement agency investigating the latest incident of a parked car being hit on Methyl Street.

Anthony Coghill

The Pittsburgh city councilman who says he is aware of the situation on Methyl Street and will look into potential solutions.

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What they’re saying

“He gets out at one point and actually looks, 'Wow, I think I just hit his car,'”

— Paul Skelly, Resident (KDKA)

“It's very sickening. This is my third car that has been hit on the street, two of them being brand new. I have a $1,000 deductible every time this happens.”

— Paul Skelly, Resident (KDKA)

“Definitely, lower speed limit, speed bumps, one-way street.”

— Paul Skelly, Resident (KDKA)

What’s next

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is investigating the latest incident to determine if any charges will be filed against the driver. Councilman Anthony Coghill says he is aware of the situation and will look into potential solutions to improve safety on Methyl Street.

The takeaway

The repeated incidents of parked cars being hit on Methyl Street underscore the challenges faced by residents in dense urban neighborhoods with narrow streets. While law enforcement investigates the latest collision, the community is seeking more permanent solutions like lower speed limits, speed bumps, or making the street one-way to prevent future accidents and protect residents' property.