Family demands answers after grandmother dies in hospital parking garage

In April 2025, Theresa M Phillips, a 79-year-old grandmother, tragically lost her life in a hospital parking garage in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while taking her husband, Walter, to a medical appointment. The incident occurred when Phillips mistakenly turned into the wrong entrance of the garage and had to open her car door to retrieve a parking ticket, leaving her car unparked. While she attempted to exit the vehicle, it rolled forward, resulting in her being pinned underneath. Walter Phillips, witnessing the event, made desperate attempts to lift the car off of her but was unable to save his wife. Emergency services were reportedly delayed, taking about 30 minutes to arrive at the scene, raising serious concerns about the response time. This delay has become a focal point of the family's outrage and a significant reason for their intention to file a lawsuit against UPMC, the health care provider associated with the hospital. Their attorney, Matthew Scanlon, stated that this incident highlights a public safety issue and has led to demands for accountability from UPMC. The family has requested documents and video evidence to clarify the circumstances surrounding delays in aid and how the incident could have been handled better. Theresa Phillips, who is survived by her daughter Marie Lawton and other family members, was described as an active individual who loved playing video games and spending time with her loved ones. The family believes that the incident was preventable and are resolute in seeking answers to the question of why no hospital personnel intervened despite the tragedy occurring just outside its front door.