Surveillance footage reveals a mother attacking a 64-year-old bus driver in Mesa, Arizona, sparking widespread outrage and legal action
In Mesa, Arizona, a disturbing incident unfolded on a school bus last week when a mother, identified as Hermenegilda Marquez, 27, allegedly attacked a 64-year-old school bus driver. Captured on surveillance video, the altercation began after Marquez boarded the bus and accused the driver of mistreating her daughter. The footage shows Marquez unleashing a series of punches and attempting to drag the driver by her hair toward the exit of the bus.
Authorities arrested Marquez on Wednesday, charging her with aggravated assault on a school employee, a felony. According to KSAZ-TV, during the investigation, Marquez was shown the video evidence of her actions but reportedly displayed no emotion when informed of the felony charges against her.
The incident reportedly occurred after the substitute bus driver, who was not regularly on this route, dropped off children at a stop in a residential area near McKellips Road and 4th Avenue. Court documents reveal that the conflict escalated quickly after Marquez entered the bus, confronting the driver over alleged comments made to her daughter. The driver denied knowing Marquez or her daughter and insisted that she had not spoken to the students.
The altercation intensified as at least two other individuals joined Marquez on the bus, verbally assaulting the driver. KTVK-TV reported that Marquez re-entered the bus after initially leaving, continuing her physical attack on the driver, who was heard screaming for help. The driver’s pacemaker even began to shock her due to the stress of the attack, adding to her injuries, which were later described as minor.
The chaotic scene came to an end when Marquez’s boyfriend intervened, pulling her away from the driver. The couple then fled the scene in a vehicle before police arrived. A subsequent court ruling ordered Marquez to avoid the bus stop and set her bail at $5,000.
This violent episode has sparked a conversation about the safety of school transportation workers and the measures in place to protect them from such attacks. The school district has since released a statement to families detailing the incident and the steps being taken to enhance security and support for employees.
