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The bus matron who knowingly left a mentally disabled man on a bus overnight was arrested and fired. Ed Wynn Rivera, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to communicate, was found after 17 hours of sitting in the bus (which was parked at a Brooklyn depot), freezing and still strapped to his seat. And what's more, Rivera had been sitting right behind the driver.
Linda Hockaday, who had worked for Outstanding Transport, was charged with reckless endangerment. WCBS 2 reports that sources say "Hockaday admitted to knowing that Rivera was still on the bus when it was locked up on one of the coldest nights of the year. Her rationale for leaving? She apparently didn't want to be late for church." Apparently she thought someone else would notice Rivera! Only Hockaday was charged, and not the driver, because, as the bus matron, she is responsible for passenger safety.
Rivera's parents were worried when he didn't arrive back at their East Harlem home from his day program (in Tribeca) on Wednesday afternoon. They called the police, which searched the depot with K-9 and aviation units but didn't find him. According to the NY Times, "On Thursday, the police, with help from Mr. Rivera’s parents, searched another part of the depot and found Mr. Rivera in the vehicle." Rivera's sister said, "Of course we're angry ... How could you just lose a whole person? ... Now I can say honestly it is a happy New Year. I know that he's OK. My eyes are red from crying so much."
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Unbelievable and terrifying how often religion is used to rationalize senseless criminal acts. When will we learn to use common sense?
And she's that strict of a churchgoer?? What is wrong with people?? If 'god forgives' her for this one I don't want to go to heaven…
Late for church!?!
The woman is monemntally stupid and bankrupt of any common sense and judgement. Better make her a teacher.
Fun Fact: The guy/boy/student was 6 feet 2 inches tall.
"And she's that strict of a churchgoer??"
"Churchgoing" is in most cases a social activity, rarely revealing much about a person's morals or values.
This is really no different than saying she didn't want to be late for a concert, or a group dinner, or a card game... whatever it is that people might do socially.
She will still file a union grievance for wrongful termination.
Such callousness in a churchgoer. My stars.
"Linda Hockaday, who had worked for Outstanding Transport, was charged with reckless endangerment"
Too bad she didn't work for the city. The she could file a grievance with the union and avoid being fired until her pension kicked in.
I can't WAIT for the Law & Order treatment of this incident. I wonder which white actress they will hire to portray the neo-Nazi bent on exterminating the handicapped! I'm setting aside space on my TiVo as we speak!
Seriously, how stupid and mean are some people? But what about the bus driver? How could he have not seen the guy sitting right behind him?
OMG, the irony.
What would Jesus think?
I'd be interested to meet the people who were turned down for the bus matron's job.
Jesus will never forgive you for being 5 minutes late to chuch, lady.
Wait, so the person arrested was HELPING the bus driver and failed to let him or her know Edwin was still on the bus. It's not the bus driver facing chargers but his or her helper.
This story is heartbreaking.
this was the woman's job. the bus driver wasn't responsible. this woman was hired for this very reason!
youtube.com/watch?v=tFwBpg1YAVc video of wheelchair bound mother left behind on New Year Day by her own children so they can ride a horse drawn carriage. Doesn't surprise me that people who don't care about horse cruelty, don't care about people including their own mother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFwBpg1YAVc
Stay classy New york!!!!!