UPDATE: TriMet spokesperson Mary Fetsch says the driver did report the incident and that he did call 911.
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One account from the incident last week alleges that a TriMet bus was on the scene as Ashley Gorman was being beaten yet did not stop to offer passengers as witnesses and the driver allegedly did not call the incident in to dispatch.
According to this comment by Megan, (a friend of the victims),
“The bus driver,
a city employee*, DID NOT CALL 911 while he had a front row seat at the show. HE also drove off with all of the witnesses, while the attackers took off on foot.”
I looked over the official TriMet Bus Operators manual to see if there was any specific language about what a driver must do in this situation. I found one section that might apply:
From the chapter 9; Accidents, Emergencies, and Mechanical Problems
9.4.9 Witnessing Criminal Acts / Suspicious Activities
- 1. Get a detailed description of the suspect and specific activity.
- 2. If the suspect flees in a vehicle, get a license plate number and vehicle description.
- 3. Note the direction of travel of the suspect.
- 4. Notify dispatch: Press EMERG, 1-Police, and SEND.
- 5. Follow dispatch instructions.
I’m not sure, but this policy might only apply to incidents that happen on or to the bus. It’s not clear if drivers have an obligation to report crimes they see happening at a bus stop specifically.
I’ve emailed TriMet spokesperson Mary Fetsch and hopefully she can clarify this for us. I’ll update this when I hear from her.
[*Bus drivers are not city employees. I overlooked that reference in the quote above.]