Port Authority bus driver arrested in January death of University of Pittsburgh student

A Port Authority bus driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and other crimes in connection with the death of a University of Pittsburgh student who was struck by the bus.

Shavonne James, 33, of Pittsburgh is also charged with reckless driving, failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and operating an improperly equipped vehicle.

On Friday, Pittsburgh police announced that James had been arrested. A police spokeswoman said James turned herself in Friday morning.

City police filed the charges Wednesday, months after the incident that killed Barbara Como, 20, of Chester Springs, Chester County.

The incident happened Jan. 18 at about 12:15 p.m. near the intersection of DeSoto Street and Fifth Avenue.

James told investigators she was driving her normal route that day and was going through a turn off Fifth Avenue when she heard passengers yelling, according to the criminal complaint.

She drove about five more feet, then looked out the window and saw the victim lying on the ground in the street.

Como was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital where she was later pronounced dead, police said.

Court documents indicate she died of blunt force trauma to the head, trunk and pelvis. Her death was ruled accidental.

There were three pedestrians in the designated crosswalk, and they had the white “walk” signal when the bus made a right-hand turn onto DeSoto Street.

Video surveillance captured the incident, according to the complaint .

James is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. June 26, according to court records.