Bus driver pleads guilty in death of Pitt student

The Port Authority bus driver who fatally struck a University of Pittsburgh senior last year will receive three years of probation after she pleaded guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.

Shavonne James, 33, was charged last year after hitting Barbara Como, a 20-year-old anthropology major, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and DeSoto Street while her view was blocked by a bus passenger.

Ms. Como, of Chester Springs, Pa., was crossing DeSoto Street when she was hit by the bus.

Police said Ms. James picked up a passenger at “an undesignated stop” at Fifth Avenue and DeSoto Street, according to the criminal complaint. Video footage showed the passenger in the front of the bus, beyond the line where passengers are supposed to stand, fumbling through his pockets.

With the passenger still standing too far forward, the complaint said, Ms. James resumed driving and turned right onto DeSoto, where the bus struck Ms. Como behind the right front wheel. The bus continued moving and ran over the victim with its rear wheels.

The traffic light on Fifth Avenue was green, and pedestrians had a walk signal when the incident occurred, police said.

Ms. Como’s death was a “direct result” of Ms. James driving with a passenger blocking her view of mirrors in violation of federal regulations.

“The passenger blocked the view of the mirrors of the bus, making it difficult [for the driver] to safely turn right. [The driver] operated the bus in an unsafe condition by moving with a standing passenger,” the complaint said.

Ms. Como was scheduled to graduate in the spring and planned to be a research psychologist.

Ms. James’ sentence was part of a plea deal. The case was presided over by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Alexander P. Bicket.

Port Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph said Ms. James has been suspended with pay since charges were filed in June. Now that the case has been adjudicated, she will face an internal disciplinary hearing, he said.

The Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Ms. James on employment issues, couldn’t be reached for comment.