HAWTHORNE – Westchester County Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a woman who assaulted a Bee-Line bus driver on Wednesday night outside the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
The incident occurred at 10:30 p.m. when the female passenger demanded that the driver allow her to get off the bus directly in front of the hospital entrance. The driver told the passenger that the bus could not stop until it reached a nearby bus stop.
The passenger made verbal threats towards the driver, which were overheard by other passengers. When the bus stopped at Hospital Oval East and Emergency Drive to discharge passengers, the woman approached the driver and sprayed her in the face with an unknown, noxious substance. The driver experienced a burning sensation in her eyes and had difficulty breathing.
A search of the hospital and surrounding areas was conducted by patrol officers but the suspect could not be located.
“The Westchester County Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for this attack,” Commissioner Thomas Gleason said. “The safety of transit personnel and riders is a top priority and we investigate these types of incidents vigorously.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Westchester County Police at 914-864-7701 or at tips@wccops.com. All calls or electronic tips are confidential.
