Driver of Port Authority bus in fatal Oakland crash placed on paid leave

The driver of the Port Authority of Allegheny County bus that struck and killed a University of Pittsburgh student over the weekend was placed on paid leave while the crash is investigated, officials said Tuesday.

“The operator involved in this incident will not be driving until the completion of the ongoing investigations by both Pittsburgh police and Port Authority,” Adam Brandolph, spokesman for the public transit agency, said in a statement.

Officials did not provide information about the driver nor say how long the driver has worked for Port Authority.

Barbara Como, 20, of Chester Springs, Chester County, a Pitt senior planning to graduate this spring with degrees in psychology and anthropology, would have turned 21 next month.

Como was struck by the bus near the intersection of De Soto Street and Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday, police said.

Medics rushed Como to UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where she was pronounced dead at about 2 p.m.

“Everyone at Port Authority is deeply saddened by the tragic event that claimed the life of Barbara Como on Saturday afternoon,” Brandolph said. “Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to her family and friends.”

Pitt’s campus police are assisting Pittsburgh police and Port Authority officials in the investigation of the fatal crash.