NY trucker charged with leaving scene of fatal Strip District pedestrian accident

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police have charged a New York truck driver with leaving the scene when a pedestrian was hit by three vehicles and killed Tuesday in the Strip District.

Authorities said 61-year-old Brian Jamieson, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., is charged of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury.

Police said 53-year-old Judith Kollar, of West Mifflin, was killed Tuesday morning when she was hit by a vehicle and knocked into the path of Jamieson's freight truck, which allegedly ran over her, before she was hit by a third vehicle that couldn't stop fast enough. The other two drivers remained at the scene.

The incident happened near the intersection of 14th and Smallman streets around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses said Kollar was walking through a crosswalk when she was struck.

"The truck ran over her and by the time I got behind him it was too late," one of the drivers said.

The box truck that police spent hours looking for Tuesday was located in Erie near Interstates 90 and 79 about 3 p.m., police said.

"We believe the large truck driver didn't realize he hit her," said Sgt. Daniel Connolly of the Collision Investigation Unit.

Police said Jamieson acknowledged being in the area at the time, but not running over Kollar. Police said, however, they found unspecified evidence on the underside of his truck.Smallman Street was closed between 14th and 16th streets as police investigate the crash.

Kollar was an employee of Adagio Health. Company officials released a statement Tuesday saying, "Judith Kollar was a wonderful coworker and a great friend to many at Adagio Health. She was a dedicated and respected professional during her 26-year-tenure here. Judy's loss leaves a huge void in our organization, but more importantly to her family and friends. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family during this difficult time."

Channel 11's Vince Sims reported that Kollar was also the sister of West Mifflin High School's head football coach.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said, "Coach Brazzo's sister is one of the kindest people and close to a lot of the staff. We offer our deepest condolences to coach and his family. They are a close-knit family and very kind. This is a true tragedy."

WPXI