Driver error blamed when bus hits war memorial cannon

PITTSBURGH – Investigators say driver error caused a public transit bus to hop a curb and dislodge a war memorial cannon at a park in Pittsburgh.

Officials say the bus went through a low fence around the memorial and struck the cannon, which became lodged in a side window. No passengers or bystanders were seriously hurt in the July 8 crash.

A spokesman for the Port Authority of Allegheny County said Wednesday that bus driver Nicole Lawrence is no longer employed. He declined to say if she was fired.

Lawrence was cited for driving at unsafe speeds and failure to wear a seat belt. She couldn’t be reached for comment. A union official said they will file a grievance.

The Port Authority has agreed to pay to restore the cannon.