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Phoenix family sues bus operator after mother’s fatal collision
Angelica Davila’s family is seeking damages from Transdev Services, alleging negligent hiring and supervision after a bus struck her near 59th Avenue and Van Buren Street. Davila was on her way to work when she was killed while transferring buses in May.
The family of Angelica Davila has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Transdev Services Inc., the operator of the Valley Metro bus involved in her fatal collision in Phoenix.
Davila was struck May 28 near 59th Avenue and Van Buren Street as she transferred buses on her way to her job with the Arizona Department of Corrections. The lawsuit alleges she was in a crosswalk with the walk signal when driver Ana Maria Rivas struck her. It further claims Rivas was looking left while steering the bus right and that Davila was dragged beneath the vehicle for several seconds.
Rivas pleaded guilty to causing a death by a moving violation, according to the report on the case. The lawsuit also alleges that she had been charged three times with driving on a suspended, revoked or canceled license. It cites alleged incidents involving speeding, unsafe lane changes and failures to appear in court, and says her license had been suspended for 12 months.
The suit accuses Transdev of negligence in hiring and supervising Rivas and allowing her to operate a bus. Davila’s lawyers say the case is intended to hold the company accountable and seek answers about the decisions that preceded her death. The family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
The allegations against Transdev and the account of the collision in the complaint have not been resolved in court. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Jonathan O’Steen and Matthew MacLeod of O’Steen MacLeod Combs.