Elevated Charges After Violent Attack On Bus Driver In Westchester: DA

YONKERS, NY — An attack that seriously injured a bus driver has now led to enhanced charged during an arraignment in a Westchester courtroom.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that 29-year-old Thywill Anasu, of Manhattan, was arraigned on elevated felony charges in connection with the violent beating of an MTA bus driver following a car collision last month.

He was arraigned Thursday on felony first-degree assault, and felony second-degree assault.

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

Prosecutors asked the court to raise the amount of bail, that had been previously set by a local court, to $50,000 cash/$150,000 bond/$500,000 partially secured bond. However, the judge maintained bail at the amount previously set by the local court.

Anasu remains out on bond, and the judge provided a temporary order of protection on behalf of the victim. The case was adjourned to May 14.

"There is little more sacrosanct than the safety of our colleagues in public service, who keep the machinery of government moving for all of us, every day," DA Cacace said. "The allegations in this indictment are horrendous and reflect a disturbing pattern that has emerged during the pandemic, where civil servants encounter unpredictable violence for simply doing their jobs. There is no excuse for turning a minor traffic dispute into a savage assault, and my office will seek to hold this defendant fully accountable for his conduct."

"The victim in this case remains in our thoughts, and I pray for his continued recovery. No one should have to suffer through what he did when they clock into work. I stand with my union brothers and sisters in demanding safe working conditions for all government workers, without exception."

On April 4, the victim had been driving his MTA bus 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, with a closed fist.

The victim suffered a brain bleed and experienced substantial pain to his head and right shoulder, requiring immediate treatment at Jacobi Hospital, according to the felony complaint.

Members of the Transport Workers Union, Local 100, including President John Chiarello, attended court on the victim's behalf.

"Transit employees should always return safely home in the same condition they came to work in," NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said. "This was a vicious attack on a public servant that will not be tolerated. We are grateful to the Yonkers Police and Westchester DA for fighting to arrest and charge our colleague's attacker, and we will keep showing up in court to ensure justice is served."

This case was investigated by the Yonkers Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant DA Samantha Murphy.