PITTSBURGH — A Port Authority bus driver is facing multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, five months after a University of Pittsburgh student was hit and killed in Oakland.
The driver -- identified in a criminal complaint as Shavonne James, 33 -- was driving her normal route from the South Side to the Hill District on Jan. 18 around noon.
She told police she stopped at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and DeSoto Avenue and then turned right onto DeSoto.
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The bus picked up a passenger at that intersection, which is not a designated bus stop, police said.
James told police while she was going through the turn, passengers on the PAT bus began to yell for her to stop, according to the complaint. James said she went about five more feet forward before she looked out the window and saw a woman lying on the ground.
The victim, Barbara Como, was rushed to UPMC Presbyterian in critical condition, but she was pronounced dead less than an hour later. Como was a senior at Pitt.
The University of Pittsburgh issued this statement following the deadly accident the next day:
"The Pitt community is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Barbara Como of Chester Springs, Pa., a senior anthropology student and research assistant with the Learning Research and Development Center, and resident of Lothrop Hall.
As the Pitt community mourns the loss of one of our students, we send our heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.
The University Counseling Center will be offering students crisis support this evening at the Wellness Center in Nordenberg Hall and at the Lothrop Counseling Center Office between 7-9 p.m. Students can also reach the University Counseling Center 24/7 by calling 412-648-7930. LifeSolutions, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, is available 24/7 by calling 866-647-3432.
Pitt Police are assisting with the City and Port Authority law enforcement investigation of this incident.”
Surveillance footage from the bus showed the passenger stay at the front of the bus while James turned onto DeSoto, which, according to police, partially obstructed her view.
Other footage in that area showed the bus hitting Como, knocking her to the ground, and running her over with the rear wheels. Investigators said there were three people walking in the crosswalk when the bus began to turn, and pedestrians did have the white “walk” sign.
James is facing the following charges regarding the deadly accident: involuntary manslaughter, unlawful activities, reckless driving and right-of-way of pedestrians in crosswalks.
The Port Authority released the following statement Thursday morning:
“This was an absolute tragedy. Our hearts go out to Ms. Como’s family and friends. Ms. James remains off work with pay, as she has since the crash. Now that the criminal investigation has completed, Port Authority will move ahead with an internal disciplinary hearing.”
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