ASHEVILLE — A city bus driver has been cited and is under investigation following an accident that sent a pedestrian to the hospital.
a ART city bus He was heading north Biltmore Street Downtown about 8:35 p.m. on Nov. 7 when she turned left onto Hilliard Street, striking a pedestrian who was in the crosswalk with another person, according to a police report.
“The crosswalk light was on, and the pedestrian had the right of way,” the report said.
The pedestrian was taken to Mission Hospital with a “serious but non-life-threatening leg injury,” said Samantha Booth, spokeswoman for the Asheville Police Department.
“Upon completion of the investigation by the Asheville Police Department, the (City of Asheville) transit bus driver was charged with unsafe moving for failing to yield the right of way while the pedestrian was lawfully crossing in the crosswalk,” Booth said.
This violation is considered a violation under state law.
The police report Booth provided to the Citizen-Times did not include the driver’s name. The Citizen Times contacted Booth to ask about the identity of the driver.
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A statement from the city said the incident was “disturbing to all” city employees.
“Traffic safety for pedestrians and commuters is our greatest concern, and the City of Asheville will do everything in its power to support the safe delivery of services. We hope for a full and speedy recovery for those involved,” the statement sent by an Asheville spokesperson read. Kim Miller.
The private company, which oversees operations and manages bus drivers, said the driver, a union member, has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the results of the investigation, including drug testing.
“Our primary concern is the safety of the pedestrians involved in the recent incident and our employee. We are committed to providing the necessary support and taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our community,” the statement from RATP Dev USA said.
The statement said the furlough was standard operating procedure, adding that the company was working closely with the union.
Union President Albert Maybin said he was working and unavailable for comment.
The management company said the investigation will involve the city, transit system and police and will be conducted in a “fair and transparent manner.”
The RATP said it would also conduct a safety review, in consultation with union members, on ways to improve training and safety procedures.
“RATP Dev USA is committed to ensuring that incidents like this do not occur again in the future. Our standard operating procedures are designed to maintain the highest safety standards, and we continually strive to improve them. We understand the community’s concerns and are committed to addressing them transparently and responsibly.”
Transportation can’t wait in Asheville. That’s why it shouldn’t happen opinion
Joel Burgess has lived at WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He has written award-winning stories on topics ranging from fraud to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this kind of journalism with A Subscription To Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times: Asheville city bus hits pedestrian: Police; Driver charged in accident
