MTA Bus Driver Beaten And Bloodied While Shocked Passengers Watch

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A vicious attack on an MTA bus. A female driver was assaulted, beaten and bloodied while passengers were on board.

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke to the driver Wednesday evening.

Images were taken just minutes after MTA bus driver Karen Alexander says a passenger attacked her. She says it's one of several recent cases of drivers being assaulted.

"I don't even remember if I put the brake on the bus," said Alexander. "But I think once I lowered the bus, that stopped that bus from moving because that young lady was in my face."

It happened April 30, just after 5 p.m. near Fayette and Calvert streets in downtown Baltimore. A young woman and her child boarded the bus. She was irate, claiming the driver didn't stop to pick them up earlier.

Alexander believes she was mistaken, and told her to calm down. When she didn't, she demanded they get off the bus.

Charging documents say the woman, who had an open warrant at the time, began hitting Alexander with closed fists as shocked passengers watched.

Alexander admits she fought back in self defense.

"Who has to go to work and has to know that they've got to fight? I drive a bus, I'm not in the Army," she said.

Alexander says the job is dangerous, and in recent weeks, fellow drivers have gotten spit on and worse.

"It's scary. It's a nightmare. I just keep seeing her face. She had no fear in striking me behind the wheel of a bus," said Alexander.

The MTA says the passenger who assaulted Alexander was arrested on the scene. Another driver was attacked Tuesday on Reisterstown Road.

Alexander says she is undergoing physical therapy, and that she may need counseling because of the emotional trauma of the attack.