Photo: wcvb.com
A Boston man is currently in custody in Randolph, Massachusetts after causing the bus he was in to crash into a car and then a utility pole, by attacking the driver while at the wheel.
The incident occurred at the beginning of the week, when 24-year-old Matthew Young demanded that the bus driver let him off in an area where there was no designated stop, the Brokton Area Transit Authority says for ABC affiliate WCVB. Before the assault, Young warned the bus driver that he would punch him if he didn’t do what he was told.
He kept his word, too. “After multiple times requesting to stop the bus, he approached him and stated, quote, ‘If you don't stop the bus, I will punch you in the face’,” prosecutor Meredith Underwood told the court at the first hearing in the case.
“The victim stated that after being punched, he blacked out and crashed into a vehicle and into the utility pole,” the prosecutor added.
The bus hit a red Honda Civic, which was seen being towed from the scene with extensive damage. Then, it came to a stop by hitting the utility pole with the front bike rack. The pole took some damage too, but according to the media outlet, none of it was structural.
After the crash, passengers on the bus rushed and pinned Young to the ground. The doors remained closed until police arrived and they kept him inside the bus, so he could be lead away in handcuffs. In court, Young claimed he was visiting a friend and had an attack of anxiety because he was in an unfamiliar area.
Young is homeless and may have a history of mental illness, according to the prosecutor. He admitted to hitting the bus driver and was charged with assault and battery. He is being held without bail until a dangerousness hearing next week.
Of the 30 passengers on the bus, 13 needed to be taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries, including a young boy who had hurt his shoulder.
He kept his word, too. “After multiple times requesting to stop the bus, he approached him and stated, quote, ‘If you don't stop the bus, I will punch you in the face’,” prosecutor Meredith Underwood told the court at the first hearing in the case.
“The victim stated that after being punched, he blacked out and crashed into a vehicle and into the utility pole,” the prosecutor added.
The bus hit a red Honda Civic, which was seen being towed from the scene with extensive damage. Then, it came to a stop by hitting the utility pole with the front bike rack. The pole took some damage too, but according to the media outlet, none of it was structural.
After the crash, passengers on the bus rushed and pinned Young to the ground. The doors remained closed until police arrived and they kept him inside the bus, so he could be lead away in handcuffs. In court, Young claimed he was visiting a friend and had an attack of anxiety because he was in an unfamiliar area.
Young is homeless and may have a history of mental illness, according to the prosecutor. He admitted to hitting the bus driver and was charged with assault and battery. He is being held without bail until a dangerousness hearing next week.
Of the 30 passengers on the bus, 13 needed to be taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries, including a young boy who had hurt his shoulder.
Matthew Young of Boston is being held without bail for punching a bus driver in Randolph “multiple times”... the attack caused the BAT bus to crash. The driver blacked out according to prosecutor. #wcvb 📷: @skyrivertitan pic.twitter.com/iy4HHuPljy
— Sera Congi (@seracongi) August 6, 2019
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