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Box truck driver charged in Strip District pedestrian death
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The truck driver accused of not stopping Tuesday after his vehicle and two others struck a woman in the Strip District was arraigned in Pittsburgh this morning.
Brian Jamieson of Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been charged with a felony after not stopping and remaining at the scene to give "aid and information," according to a criminal complaint filed by Pittsburgh police.
The pedestrian, 53-year-old Judith Kollar, of West Mifflin, died at Allegheny General Hospital shortly after she was struck by three vehicles while attempting to cross Smallman Street in a crosswalk at 14th Street.
The first driver told police he was making a left turn from 14th Street onto Smallman Street when he heard and felt a hit to the front of vehicle. He then saw Ms. Kollar fall into the eastbound lane, where a large white box truck hit her and kept going, according to the complaint.
Investigators caught up with Mr. Jamieson near Erie, where he had pulled off the road to await state police, according to the complaint.
Pittsburgh police Sgt. Daniel Connolly checked under the truck and found underneath "marks on the underside of the front steer axle [that] show material prints in the dirt," according to the complaint.
Also under the truck, Sgt. Connolly found a single brown thread on the right spring hanger, a support for the truck's springs, according to the complaint.
"The driver admitted to being on Smallman Street, but would not admit to striking the victim," according to the complaint.
Mr. Jamieson is an employee of Flora Pack Inc., a Canadian flower-distribution business that delivers twice weekly in the Pittsburgh area.
Police used surveillance video to capture an image of the truck, which matched that of the Jordan Station, Ontario, company.
Robert Whitenect, the company's controller, declined comment on the charges, deferring to Mr. Jamieson's lawyer, who could not be reached.
"We're just feeling terrible about the family," Mr. Whitenect said.
Pittsburgh police said Tuesday Mr. Jamieson may not have realized the truck hit Ms. Kollar.
Mr. Whitenect confirmed Mr. Jamieson has worked at the company for at least 10 years and has had no prior issues.
First Published December 12, 2012 1:32 pm
