Bus Driver Attacked In Road Rage Incident In Westchester Remains Hospitalized With Brain Bleed: DA

WHITE PLAINS, NY — As a bus driver struggles to recover in the hospital, a New York City man has been indicted on assault charges, according to Westchester County officials.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that the Manhattan man was arraigned on an assault charge in connection to a road rage attack on an MTA bus driver in Yonkers this past weekend.

Thywill Anasu, 29, was arraigned on one count of felony assault.

"As alleged by my office, this brutal, unsparing attack on a public servant who was just doing his job must serve as a wake-up call to everyone in Westchester," Cacace said. "The victim was beaten so severely that he suffered a brain bleed and remains in the hospital, nearly a week after this alleged assault."

The DA said that the fact that the bus driver was an essential worker doing a job that the community depends on, makes the allegations especially disturbing,

"Too often, these sorts of confrontations are written off as hazards of the job," she said. "No one engaged in public service ought to feel as if they are risking life and limb when they clock into work. I stand with each and every member of our public sector in demanding safer workplaces and swift accountability for those who cross the line. We will seek the same accountability for this defendant."

On Saturday, the victim had been driving his route between the Bronx and Westchester. Around 8:30 p.m., as the bus was headed into the Bronx, the bus got into a collision with another vehicle that was driven by Anasu.

After exiting their vehicles, Anasu placed the victim in a chokehold, applied pressure to his throat and threw him to the ground, causing the victim to hit his head on the pavement, according to a felony complaint filed in the case.

Anasu is accused of then repeatedly punching the bus driver in the face.

The driver suffered a brain bleed, the felony complaint alleges, requiring immediate treatment at Jacobi Hospital. The victim remains in the hospital.

A Yonkers City Court judge set bail at $5,000 cash/$50,000 bond/$50,000 partially secured bond and provided a temporary order of protection for the victim. Anasu is due back in court on Apr. 14.

The case was investigated by the Yonkers Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant DA Samantha Murphy of the Major Case Bureau.