Incident on MBTA Bus Leaves Elderly Woman Injured
Prosecutors reported that it was a busy day for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority buses on September 8. Riders experienced difficulties exiting. WBZ-TV covered the situation.
According to investigators, 32-year-old Luz Pineda, who had her three-month-old baby with her, attempted to get off the bus at the Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard/Warren Street Stop around 1 PM in Boston’s Roxbury. WCVB-TV also reported on this incident.
During the altercation, the 63-year-old woman involved, who has no memory of the event, sustained severe injuries, including a facial amputation and a concussion.
It appears Pineda asked the elderly woman to step aside so she could exit, but the woman didn’t comply. WBZ noted that an argument ensued, during which Pineda shouted at her and kicked the woman’s shopping cart, causing tension to escalate.
Prosecutor Jacqueline Cassano indicated that Pineda “pushed her off the bus.” The video evidence shows the victim being forcibly ejected, landing face-first on the sidewalk.
In a related note, witnesses mentioned that an elderly man similarly confronted a woman on a bus, leading to fatal consequences. He died a month later after being pushed.
Prosecutors further indicated that Pineda changed her appearance—removing her sweatshirt and tying her hair up—potentially to avoid detection by the authorities. After the incident, she was seen exiting the bus with a stroller, as reported by WCVB.
The bus driver and bystanders assisted the victim until paramedics arrived, which took around 20 minutes. The woman remained unaware of the events that transpired due to her injuries, which included ruptured blood vessels.
Police and Public Response
Law enforcement stated a witness recorded the incident and shared it on social media. Surveillance footage from the bus confirmed the events. Pineda was identified by a neighbor and two anonymous individuals.
Pineda’s attorney mentioned she was returning from an appointment at Boston Children’s Hospital and had not seen the video. The victim accused her of blocking the way out with her baby.
Additionally, Pineda has a prior history of assault and battery and had violated probation related to a drug offense.
On Thursday, Pineda was arrested for allegedly assaulting and injuring an elderly person, as reported by WCVB. She pleaded not guilty during her court hearing in Roxbury District Court.
The judge set her bail at $5,000 and prohibited her from contacting the victim or any witnesses. She was also ordered to stay away from all MBTA properties, including buses and trains.
Pineda is scheduled to return to court on October 3 for a pretrial hearing.
