MBTA Bus Driver Charged After Hitting Parking Supervisor In Kenmore Square
BOSTON (CBS) – The driver of an MBTA bus that hit a parking supervisor and several cars in Kenmore Square during rush hour Thursday morning has been arrested and is facing charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and driving to endanger.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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The incident began around 8:20 a.m. when the bus driver, identified as Lataria Milton, had parked in the left turning lane that takes traffic from Commonwealth Avenue onto Brookline Avenue.
"This is not a location that the bus should have been stopped in," Transit Police Chief Joseph O'Connor told reporters, adding that the driver was on a break. There were no passengers on the bus.
A Boston Transportation Department supervisor pulled up in her van and told Milton to move.
According to WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic, Milton refused and continued to eat her breakfast.
The supervisor then stepped in front of the bus and started writing a ticket.
But when the traffic light turned green, investigators say Milton took off in the bus, hitting the supervisor and then pushing two cars into the brick median on Commonwealth Avenue. O'Connor said one other vehicle was also involved, in addition to the bus and supervisor's van.
The supervisor was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital where she's being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Milton waited on the bus until investigators arrived. She was given a blood and alcohol test.
Milton is 34 years old and has 10 years of experience with the MBTA. During that time, she has had her license suspended and has had five surchargeable events on her record.
Milton's license was suspended from November 2006 until March of 2007 for failing to complete a safety course. It is unclear if she was still driving an MBTA bus during that time.
In 2010, Milton was found to be at fault for an accident in Roxbury.
At the time of Thursday's crash, Milton's license was active, but was in non-renewable status due to unpaid parking tickets, unpaid excise tax and an unpaid toll violation. Milton's Commercial Driver License and regular Class D license have since been revoked.
She's currently in police custody. Her arraignment is scheduled for Friday in Roxbury District Court.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano contributed to this report.
