Female Bus Driver Attacked Over Fare Dispute

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police say a local attacked a female Port Authority bus driver with a metal bar because he didn't want to pay his fare.

According to police, the incident happened Saturday morning at the intersection of Wilner and Bracey Drives in the East Hills.

The driver says a passenger, 32-year-old Joseph Sumba, attacked her in a dispute over the fare.

Witnesses say the man grabbed a metal bar that is used to make space for those using wheelchairs on the bus. He then started hitting the driver in the face, head, and neck.

That's when Army veteran Joseph Phillips jumped in to stop the attack.

"When I saw her him hit her in the face one time, I knew I had to do something," Phillips told KDKA's Ross Guidotti.

Phillips wrestled with Sumba, and then shoved him off the bus. He did injure his hand, but is expected to be okay.

"If you see someone that needs help, you got to step in," said Phillips. "You can't let nobody hurt nobody. That's my philosophy in life – step in. Do whatever you can to help whoever is in need."

"God bless her, she was just doing her job. I don't know why that man snapped on her," Phillips said.

The bus driver was treated and released.

Shumba is charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

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