North Hills Bus Driver Dies After Morning Accident at Bus Depot

A North Hills school bus driver was killed this morning in an accident at the bus depot's parking lot shortly after dropping students off at school. 

Carol Eggers, 71, of the North Hills area, was struck by the vehicle of another First Student employee, a bus driver for the Shaler School District at about 8:56 a.m. She was pronounced dead at 9:03 a.m., according to Darlene Craig, forensics supervisor for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.

"We were devastated to learn our driver had died," said Jen Biddinger, a spokeswoman for the company, First Student, which contracts with North Hills and other school districts in the area to provide daily transportation for students.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family," Biddinger said.

According to Shaler Police Lt. Kevin Boyle, Eggers was walking from the bus terminal to a lot across the street when she was struck by a personal vehicle driven by a male employee who was backing out of a private parking lot near the terminal. 

The accident occurred immediately after the end of the morning's runs, just after 8:30 a.m. at the bus depot at 200 Hahn Road. 

The man's name has not yet been released. Allegheny County Police are examining toxicology tests to determine if any drugs or alcohol were involved, Boyle said. 

Eggers had been driving buses for the North Hills area for about two and a half years. According to Tina Vojtko, spokeswoman for the school district, Eggers' route took students to a private school that serves fewer than five North Hills students. 

The students' families are being called personally by district social workers, Vojtko said. 

"The district's thoughts and prayers are with the driver's family and the entire staff at First Student as they cope with the loss of a friend and family member," Vojtko said. 

Biddinger said counselors are on the scene to provide assistance to other employees of the company. 

No changes to the afternoon routes are expected, she said. 

Stay tuned to Patch for future updates today on this developing story.