Pitt student struck, killed by Port Authority bus in Oakland

A University of Pittsburgh student was struck and killed by a Port Authority bus Saturday in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section, authorities said.

The dead woman was identified as Barbara Como of Chester Springs, Chester County.

Como was a senior anthropology student and research assistant with the Learning Research and Development Center and resident of Lothrop Hall, according to a statement from the university.

The incident happened about 12:15 p.m. near the intersection of De Soto Street and Fifth Avenue, according to Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews.

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

Pitt’s campus police are assisting Pittsburgh police and the Port Authority in the investigation, the university said.

“As the Pitt community mourns the loss of one of our students, we send our heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends,” said the university’s statement.

The University Counseling Center will be offering student crisis support Saturday evening at the Wellness Center in Nordenberg Hall and at the Lothrop Counseling Center Office from 7-9 p.m.

Paul Guggenheimer and Megan Guza are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Paul at 724-226-7706 or pguggenheimer@tribweb.com. Reach Megan at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter @meganguzaTrib.