What happened to KDKA’s Dave Crawley?

TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions online every Friday in Tuned In Journal blog at post-gazette.com/tv. Here’s a selection of recent queries.

Q: While watching the KDKA 70th anniversary show earlier this year, my wife and I noticed there was no mention about Dave Crawley. I remember he was severely injured doing a stunt at the Three Rivers Regatta. Is he OK? Will he return to the station?

— BOB VIA EMAIL Rob: Last month, Mr. Crawley responded to Bob’s inquiry via email, writing, “I continue to deal with the injuries I suffered in my assignment previewing the Red Bull Flugtag event at the 2017 EQT Regatta. The assignment I received resulted in injury to my spleen, which was later removed in emergency life-saving surgery. Injuries also include permanent pulmonary damage and a head injury. But I remain hopeful that I can return to television in some capacity.

On the bright side, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (which awards the Emmys) recently informed me that I have been inducted into the Silver Circle Society. The Silver Circle is an honor society for those who have made contributions to the industry for 25 years or more.

As always, I am continuing my work as an author, writing poems to inspire, entertain and empower children.”

Just a few days later, Crawley and his wife, Laurel Herman, sued Red Bull, the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta and a marketing agency with claims for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or nondisclosure and negligence.

Q: Are the Pittsburgh Pirates announcers on TV employed by the Pirates or by the cable network?

— CHUCK, PLUM

Rob: My understanding is the game/booth talent are Pirates employees but pre/postshow host/analyst are employed by the TV network.

Q: Is “Get Shorty” on the EPIX cable channel canceled?

— T.C. VIA EMAIL Rob: “Get Shorty” was renewed for a third season and will return at 10 p.m. Oct. 6.

Q: I had the pleasure of being an extra in several episodes of season two of “Mindhunter” shot here in Pittsburgh in 2018. Do you have any information on the release of season two? The crew could never say anything definitive other than “sometime in 2019.”

— ART VIA EMAIL Rob: Season two of “Mindhunter” drops on Netflix on Friday.

Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette Walt Czekaj braces for impact on his skateboard-inspired flying device at the Red Bull Flugtag on the North Shore during the 2017 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta. KDKA-TV’s Dave Crawley claims he was injured during his stunt on the Flugtag that year.