Metrobus driver charged with driving bus without valid license
By: Kytja Weir
Examiner Staff Writer
July 31, 2009
A Metrobus operator was arrested Thursday after her bus crashed and police found her driver's license was suspended more than two months ago.
The crash, which injured one person, occurred about 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Good Hope Road and 25th Street in Southeast D.C. when a Route 92 Metrobus traveling to Congress Heights and another vehicle crashed.
One person was taken to a local hospital with injuries, though it was not immediately clear whether the person was in the vehicle or the bus.
Police charged the driver of the other vehicle with failing to yield, said Metro spokeswoman Angela Gates.
But as police were investigating the crash, they found the commercial driver's license of the Metrobus driver was suspended.
Carletta S. Douglas was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, according to Metro.
Her license was suspended on May 27, Gates said, but it was not immediately clear why.
Like any driver, Metrobus drivers are required to have valid licenses. They are supposed to alert their supervisors if they have any problems with their commercial driver's licenses, Gates said. But she said Douglas told Metro officials on Thursday she did not know the license had been suspended.
Douglas has been working for Metro since 2000 and driving buses full time since 2001. Gates could not say Thursday what penalty the driver could face from the agency.
Douglas could not be reached for comment. The union that represents her declined to discuss the case.
Recent high-profile misdeeds:» Saturday: A Metrobus driver was arrested and charged with kidnapping a passenger, after an argument escalated and authorities said he refused to let the woman off the bus.
» Earlier in July: At least three Metro employees were disciplined for reading, using cell phones or even sleeping while operating Metro trains or buses.
» March 8: A Metrobus driver with a criminal record was killed after reportedly trying to rob an off-duty police officer.
» Feb. 28: A driver stopped his Metrobus, then punched a cop wearing a
McGruff the Crime Dog costume in the street.
Her arrest came just a day after Metro said it was taking a comprehensive review of employee policies and disciplinary actions, looking for stiffer penalties after several high-profile cases this year have embarrassed the transit agency.
Staff Writer Bill Myers contributed.
