Bus driver attacked in broad daylight in New York City over traffic altercation
New York City crime is becoming crazier by the day, and one recent incident involving an unruly, whack-job bus passenger proves it.
According to the New York Post, an MTA bus passenger assaulted the bus driver in Lower Manhattan over the weekend because he wasn't happy about the way the driver was operating the vehicle.
The two men entered into an all-out brawl, with the suspect pulling a knife at one point.
The Post noted:
The melee happened on the M15 bus at the corner of Whitehall Street and South Ferry around 12:15 p.m., the cop said.
The 58-year-old driver can be seen pulling out his attacker’s hair extensions as they brawled.
The attacker apparently met his match, as the MTA worker fought back and ended up pinning him on the ground outside of the bus.
"Let me go!" the attacker shouted repeatedly at the MTA worker. "You’re ripping out my hair."
The MTA driver quickly snapped back, letting the suspect know that the police had already been called and that they were on the way. “You’re going nowhere," the driver said.
Man Attacks MTA Driver in Lower Manhattan, Pulls Knife During Bus Fight Over Traffic
At some point NYC is going to try to help themselves. Right?
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) February 11, 2024
Transit Senior Vice President Frank Annicaro released a statement after the altercation.
"It is lunacy for anyone to take out frustration for traffic congestion on a transit employee just trying to drive New Yorkers where they need to go, and intolerable that a bus operator suffered injuries to his face requiring hospital treatment as a result," Annicaro said.
Social media users offered their take on the matter, with many saying as soon as the attacker pulled the knife, the driver absolutely had every right to defend himself and the passengers by any means necessary.
"The moment the knife was pulled out all bets are off. Death last forever. Don't take the chance. Protect your self at all cost," one X user wrote.
Another X user added, "I hope the buss driver doesn't go to Jail for defending himself, we should probably start a legal defense fund now."
"The citizen will help themselves. The lawmakers never will. The NYPD is handcuffed by the mayor so it’s up to us to fight back and protect what’s out. Nobody is coming to help," another social media user wrote.