Union Man Admits Assaulting Pregnant, NJ Transit Bus Driver: UCPO

UNION, NJ — A Union Township man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a pregnant, on-duty NJ Transit bus driver in downtown Elizabeth in January, authorities report.

Andre Dawson III, 39, admitted on Thursday to a single count of third-degree aggravated assault, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan, Elizabeth Police Chief John Brennan, and NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin S. Corbett jointly announced Friday.

"At NJ Transit, the safety and security of our employees and customers are paramount," Corbett said. "Let this guilty plea serve as an example for anyone contemplating to harm one of our bus operators, train crew members, or any one of our employees that their actions will not be tolerated, and they will be apprehended and aggressively prosecuted."

Elizabeth Police responded to the area of North Broad Street and Westfield Avenue on Jan. 28 at about 4:35 p.m. where they found the bus driver suffering from bumps, cuts, and bruises at the scene, authorities said.

The bus driver was transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth for treatment of her injuries.

Dawson III was identified as a suspect in the case and arrested on Feb. 13 following an investigation by Elizabeth Police Department Detectives Paul Tillotson and James Szpond, as well as New Jersey Transit Police Department Detectives Ruben Mendez, Mike Valido, and Jonathan White.

He was then lodged in Union County Jail.

Dawson III faces eight years in state prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, June 7 before state Superior Court Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh.

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