CMU police car collides with bus

A Carnegie Mellon University police car smashed into the rear end of a city bus on Forbes… A Carnegie Mellon University police car smashed into the rear end of a city bus on Forbes Avenue Wednesday.

“All of a sudden, boom,” said passenger Aishia Shavers describing the accident.

The front end of the squad car collapsed on the rear bumper of the 61A while the bus slowed to a stop in front of the Pitt School of Law.

Four passengers and the driver of the bus complained of slight injuries such as sore backs and necks; but there were no serious injuries according to Port Authority Transit spokesperson, Judy McNeil.

CMU public relations officer Teresa Thomas said the police officer was not hurt, but his squad car was damaged extensively.

Immediately after the accident, the driver of the bus jumped from her seat and ran around to the rear of the vehicle. The passengers got off the bus and then huddled together on the sidewalk.

“Was anyone hurt?” the driver asked. “Is everyone OK?” The driver radioed for help as passengers put their names on a list; in minutes city police and ambulances surrounded the crash.

“All of a sudden it was like, what was that?” said passenger Donna Rogers as she tried to catch her breath. “This is the second time today.” Rogers was on a different 61A that same day, which she said lurched to a halt because of transmission problems.

“This is not really a common occurrence,” said McNeil about police vehicles ramming PAT buses.