DeLallo saddened by Greensburg man's death in parking lot

Police identified a Greensburg man who was killed in the parking lot at DeLallo's Italian Marketplace on Sunday after being struck by a car that rammed the building.

Richard Crouse, 80, of 190 Old Route 130, was hit at 9:38 a.m. in the store's parking lot when Theresa Pilkington, 82, of Jeannette, backed the silver Chrysler Sebring she was driving out of a handicapped space in the store's parking lot.

An autopsy was scheduled Monday for Crouse, but the results had not been released by the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office.

Francis DeLallo, manager of the marketplace along Route 30 near Jeannette, said the building appeared to be sound when he arrived Monday morning, but he was heartbroken over the tragedy that occurred.

"As far as I can see, I don't think there's much damage," DeLallo said. "I don't know how to express into words how bad I feel. I feel for this poor man and his family. What about this poor woman• It's just unfortunate, this poor woman has to live with this."

Crouse, who was walking to the store's entrance, was struck by the car's right rear and became trapped under the vehicle. The car struck the two main supports of the roof canopy at the front of the store and three concrete planters. The canopy collapsed on the vehicle's roof. Crouse was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jeanne Martin, state police spokeswoman, said the incident remains under investigation.

"Once it's all said and done, the general course of action would be to contact the district attorney's office and let them determine whether or not charges are warranted," she said.

Crouse is survived by six children, 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; four brothers, six sisters, numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend and companion Jean Rakaczky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Kunkle Crouse; his wife, Rachel Griffin Crouse; two brothers and a sister.

Prior to his retirement, Crouse worked for the former Walworth Valve Co. of South Greensburg, and later with his son's business, American Paving Co. He was an avid collector of antiques and enjoyed steam engine shows and camping. He was a member of the Fort Allen Antique Engine Association and the Cool Springs Power Museum.

Family and friends will be received from 2 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Barnhart Funeral Home, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Almon Birt officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

His family had no comment. Crouse's obituary stated "Our dad was the heart and soul of our family. He will be greatly missed. His love will live forever."