LOS ANGELES BUS DRIVER FIGHTS BACK AFTER FEMALE SUSPECT ATTACKS HER OVER ALLEGED FARE DISPUTE

Fox News

 

Los Angeles bus driver fights back after female suspect attacks her over alleged fare dispute

By Stephen Sorace Fox News

Published May 7, 2024 11:51am EDT

 

A Los Angeles bus driver was seen on video fighting back against a woman who attacked her on Sunday.

 

The incident unfolded around 1 p.m. near South Central Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard in South Los Angeles.

 

The suspect was boarding a DASH bus, which offers free service, and tried to pay a dollar to the driver, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) told KABC-TV. When the driver declined to take the woman’s money, the suspect began attacking the driver.

 

Video shows the suspect prying open the door that separates the driver from the rest of the bus before grabbing and punching the driver. The driver is seen resisting and kicking the suspect several times to get her off the bus.

 

"Get off me!" the driver can be heard shouting.

 

The driver eventually separates from the suspect, boards the bus and closes the door.

 

Police told FOX11 Los Angeles that the suspect was arrested. The bus driver did not sustain serious injuries.

 

LADOT told KCBS-TV that the suspect was homeless.

 

The department said in a statement to the station that it is evaluating options to strengthen existing barriers that separate drivers and passengers.

 

Fox News Digital reached out to LADOT but did not immediately hear back. 

AH: That's unusual. You would think a passenger would be fighting the driver over having to pay busfare, not over getting a free ride.