July 05, 2016
On the first of SEPTA's many long summer days ahead, insult was added to injury when a Route 47 bus driver was sprayed with mace in the Olney section of North Philadelphia.
According to SEPTA officials, the incident occurred Tuesday night as a Route 47 driver was assisting a wheelchair-bound passenger board the bus.
SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III confirmed the incident, adding that a woman became angry with the driver because she felt he should have stopped for her in the middle of the block.
The attack occurred during a stop at North 5th St. and West Olney Avenue, where the driver worked to assist a female rider in a wheelchair. Nestel said the suspect maced the driver and wound up accidentally striking the woman in the wheelchair.
The bus operator and passenger were transported to Einstein Hospital.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was arrested by the Highway Patrol. Officials with the Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately release the identity of the suspect or any pending criminal charges.
