Ten hurt when bus, vehicle hit head-on in Homewood

Ten people were injured early Monday when a Port Authority bus and an SUV collided head-on in Homewood.

The bus driver had to be extricated from the wreckage and was taken to UPMC Mercy, where she was in critical condition.

Four bus passengers and the SUV driver went to UPMC Presbyterian. Three had “moderate injuries,” and two had minor injuries, Pittsburgh police said.

The collision occurred shortly before 1 a.m. at the three-way intersection of Bennett Street, Frankstown Avenue and North Dallas Avenue. The bus, an outbound 86-Liberty, was headed east on Frankstown.

The identities of the injured have not been released. Another four passengers had minor injuries and refused transport to a hospital, police said. City police are aiding Port Authority police in the investigation.

Accessible swings may be required at playgrounds

under a proposal bound for city council.

Any new or renovated playgrounds owned by the city would need to include at least one accessible swing and at least one wheelchairaccessible swing where space allows, according to legislation from Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration. Scheduled for introduction Tuesday, the bill matches accessibility definitions under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The administration announced in December that most of the city’s 120 playgrounds would soon have accessible swings. At that point, workers were beginning to install 91 such swings. Six more would be wheelchair-accessible.

It wasn’t immediately clear Monday how much progress has been made on those efforts. A preliminary council vote on the proposal is expected next week.

Sheriff’s deputies help prevent escape

Two Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office deputies helped foil an escape Monday from a Downtown transitional housing facility.

Sgt. Tom Ninehouser and Deputy Jon Monaco were eating lunch at the city Municipal Court building when they saw two men descending the fire escape of the Renewal Inc. building on Second Avenue, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Chad St. Clair, 36, and Matthew Comer, 36, were caught by the deputies at the end of the stairs. St. Clair surrendered without incident. Comer attempted to run and was caught after a brief scuffle.

Both men were being housed at Renewal Inc. as part of their probation/parole provisions, the sheriff’s office said. St. Clair had pleaded guilty to a robbery charge. Comer had pleaded guilty to a firearms violation. They were taken to the Municipal Court building to face new charges.