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Run Over by Metro

The city's bus company shows little inclination to pay up or change its ways, even after it smacks into people like its own employee Clarence Santee Jr.

A A A Comments (7) By Todd Spivak Thursday, Mar 30 2006

...continued from page 7

To the cameras and reporters, Smalley extended "sympathy and condolences" to Leon-Herrera's family. But Avila and his siblings say they never received any apology. And neither did Lorenzo Hernandez, her longtime boyfriend.

Metro still has not provided financial compensation for the accident. Not that any amount of money could make things right.

Daniel Kramer

Police dragged Metro employee Myesha Taylor Thomas's corpse from beneath the left front bumper.

Courtesy of Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harr

Police dragged Metro employee Myesha Taylor Thomas's corpse from beneath the left front bumper.

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"When I go home, I think about her and I cry because I miss her so much," says Hernandez. "I feel sick every time I cross a street. I see Metro buses everywhere."

Avila remarks that four years ago his mother fled Mexico City, one of the world's most violent cities, and came to Houston seeking a safer, better life.

"I just can't believe how a bus driver can miss a person," he says.

Neither the driver's nor Metro's explanation provides Avila much solace.

Alexandre, who was fired by Metro and now faces felony charges, blamed Leon-Herrera for entering his blind spot.

Metro, meanwhile, insists her death was a fluke. And it has the numbers to prove it.

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David Sloan 09/15/2011 6:23:00 PM

I cannot stand metro and have felt that way for years now. the drivers are rude and are always driving recklessly. this article solidifies my feelings about metro. just last Sunday night i was standing dank near on the busstop at 1050 pm at tilting and cavalcade and the bus doomed by me at about 35 mph and even though i was waving my cane the bus kept going and ran the redlight to boot. i went back home and called work and told them i couldn't make it because the bus just blew by me. o hate metro and really appreciate the Houston press thorough investigations to solidify that i am correct in my assessment that Metro IS THE WORST BUS DO. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD(freeworld ornot. )) thank you, DAVID SLOAN

Oscar Aguayo 04/14/2010 7:17:00 PM

I dislocated and broke my finger on a metro bus that was running 30 minutes late and took off before I could sit down. This happened 4/19/08. I must file at small claims court before Monday 4/19/10. Any advice ????????? Thanks for your help/time. Oscar Aguayo 832-623-0795 (cell) or oaguayo@sbcglobal.net

"G" 11/19/2008 7:25:00 PM

WOW! That's fucked up. I hope they get lots of money for their pain and suffering. Hopefully they aren't too injured to enjoy that new found money too. They deserve to go on a world tour and eat caviar.

jason 06/25/2008 5:58:00 AM

...."commandeer" Metro buses? too strong a word if this has been outsourced to a private company via a legal contract. i'm going to research this subject and find stats. on the safety records of the private company you mentioned. make no mistake, my rubuking you for implying that Metro was forced to award routes to a private company, does not imply that i support outsourcing Metro routes.

Rev.Perry Boutte 04/29/2008 2:01:00 PM

I am writting this e-mail to add furthur information on your articles concerning the Metropolitan Transit Authority.I first became suspicious about Metro when on 6-30-1997 I was almost arrested when a Metro employee lied on me while I was riding the #40 bus telling Metro Police I had made a terroristic threat on the bus.The driver Brenda Chukwa knew I had not made a threat but lied through her teeth.The officer took witness statements who confirmed that the driver was lying.On 5-21-2001 I was involved in an accident in which one Metro bus struck a trolley.In 9-3-2003 I was injured when I fell into a ditch after exiting the 86 bus to go to a doctors appointment.Metro did not pay the claim even though I had pictures and proof.On or about 6-2007 while sitting at the bus stop at Almeda and O.S.T. the bench broke causing injury to myself and my attendant who was with me.The Metropolitan Transit Authority is nothing more than a crooked parasite on the taxpayers of Harris County and should be disbanded.

Rosa Martinez 10/29/2007 3:29:00 PM

I think all Metro Bus drivings should be tested for drugs every 6mo. and alcohol breath test everyday. My Uncle about 7 years ago was hit and killed by a Metro bus on 69th St. now known as Macario Garcia Dr. from what I remember the driver of the Metro Bus kept driving then I am guessing his conscious told him to come back to see what is was he hit. Maybe they do to much over-time and are too tired to pay attention this act of what was done is unforgiven.

jupiter saturn 07/19/2007 12:10:00 AM

Metro comment....I believe the name of the driver assaulted on sunday morning on the end of the line on the 2 lines is Mrs. Davis she has been driving for metro for about a year. I been told that she press the emergency button that will dispatch emergency help to the location of the bus but nobody show up. She called dispatch and was told to take bus back to West facility where there would be medical help waiting. It is my understanding that there was no such help and that she drove herself to the emergency room, where Mr. Frank Wilson made an apperance and was turned away by an angry victim. Metro is desperately trying to keep everything quite because the facts are they don't care about the safety of the drivers. They can't carry anything to protect themselves such pepperspray. Just yesterday at 4 48pm at the intersection of bellaire and hillcroft another bus driver was assulted she was making a routine stop when she was punch in the face twice battered and bruise and blood soak uniform was taken for medical attention....it does appear that the attacks on public transportation bus driver are scalind upward and there is nothing being done by the city or metro. They do a great job with damage control and buying the media outlets that report it. p.s. the information giving to me was from a reliable source but as to any information I would strongly dig deep to see whats really going on. Also metro has a recording of the rape in questions. try getting your hands on that.

Run Over by Metro

The city's bus company shows little inclination to pay up or change its ways, even after it smacks into people like its own employee Clarence Santee Jr.

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