A 64-year-old Pennsylvania grandmother lost her life in a tragic accident while searching for her missing pet cat outside a local restaurant.
Elizabeth Pollard was with her granddaughter on the night of December 2, 2024, outside Monday’s Union Restaurant in Latrobe, Pennsylvania — a small borough about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh.
What Happened?
As Pollard stepped out of her vehicle to look for the lost cat, she fell through a sinkhole in the parking area. The hole was nearly 20 feet deep and sat directly above an abandoned underground mine.
Her body was recovered four days later.
Family Files Lawsuit
Her family has now filed a lawsuit against Monday’s Union Restaurant and U.S. Steel, the former owner of the mine beneath the property.
The family’s attorney, Mark Malone, says both parties should have known about the dangerous ground conditions and taken steps to protect the public.
The lawsuit claims the area was “highly susceptible to collapse” due to decades of underground mining activity. U.S. Steel is said to have operated the mine until 1953.
Family Wants Answers
“They don’t want their wife, their mom, their grandmother’s name, in death to mean nothing,” Malone said.
The family says this lawsuit is not just about compensation — it’s about making sure this never happens to anyone else.
Elizabeth Pollard is survived by her husband, three sons, her granddaughter, five brothers, and several nieces and nephews. Those who knew her say she loved flower gardening, crafts — and her cats.
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