Taha Chomelawala, a senior neuroscience major and a student in the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt, passed away on Aug. 25 after a traffic collision with a vehicle two days earlier.
Chomelawala was riding an e-scooter in the City’s South Side Flats neighborhood on the afternoon of Aug. 23. He was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of E. Carson Street and S. 10th Street.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was cooperative with police, according to Pittsburgh City Police. Collision Investigation Unit detectives are still investigating.
Chomelawala passed away in the hospital two days later. The cause of death has not been released by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.
The University has confirmed the accident and is prioritizing the privacy and wishes of Chomelawala’s family.
“Student Affairs has been in close contact with the family and the academic departments that he was part of to ensure appropriate resources and support are available,” University spokesperson Meredith Herndon said. “Additionally, our care and support team has connected with the roommate and close contacts of Taha to provide resources.”
A public memorial will be held at Chomelawala’s former high school on Sept. 6 at 3 p.m, according to a post by the Berwyn Fire Company, where Chomelawala volunteered as an EMT. The memorial will take place at Conestoga High School in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where Chomelawala lived before coming to Pitt.
Chomelawala also worked as a teaching assistant and medical researcher during his time at Pitt, according to the GoFundMe started for his family.