Albuquerque bus driver suffers broken bones after being attacked by passenger

By Kevin Hendricks — A City of Albuquerque bus driver suffered broken bones after being attacked by a passenger on the bus last week near the University of New Mexico.

According to the incident report from the Albuquerque Police Department, the male driver was on his route at the intersection of Central Ave. and University Blvd. last Thursday when he asked a male passenger to stop playing music on the bus. The passenger then attacked the driver with a “closed fist” and “used his knee to strike [the driver] in the chest.”

A video recording from the bus shows the driver stopping the ART bus, leaving his protected driving area and walking towards the back of the bus to confront the passenger.

The passenger stands as he is told to get off the bus then attacks the driver with at least four punches. The driver and passenger exchange dozens of punches before the passenger leaves the bus.

The driver suffered a fractured cheekbone and a “possible broken hand” and checked himself into the nearby Presbyterian Hospital.

The incident report said the driver has “had prior incidents involving the same individual playing music on the bus.”

The still unidentified passenger left the bus on foot after the attack and is not in police custody.

Police have reviewed the video recording of the incident and a photo of the suspect was shared with “all sworn APD employees for them to keep a lookout and to assist with identifying” the suspect.

The incident report said the case is “inactive, pending further leads.”

City of Albuquerque Transit Department Public Information Officer Madeline Skrak said the case has been identified as an aggravated battery misdemeanor by APD and is currently under internal Transit investigation.

“Over the last few years, ABQ RIDE has expanded its safety efforts through increased staffing, specialized training, stronger community engagement, and technology to enhance rider security,” Skrak said. “Despite many successes from these efforts to make the transit system safer, we are disappointed that this incident disrupted passengers and resulted in such a troubling exchange. We want transit riders and the community to know that we take this seriously and will ensure this incident is addressed accordingly. We do not condone violence in any form and remain committed to maintaining a safe, respectful transit system for all riders.”