The streets of Detroit have become a battleground for a grieving family and the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), after the death of Janice Bauer, a 67-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a city bus last June. The Bauer family has filed suit against DDOT, the city, and the bus driver, Geraldine Johnson, who has been at the wheel in multiple crashes, including two fatal incidents over her 26-year career.
“You could talk to Janice about anything, very nonjudgmental,” Margaret Bauer, Janice’s sister told WXYZ. The Bauer sisters, now seeking accountability and systemic reforms within DDOT, are calling for a change in employee monitoring, training procedures, and accountability. Despite the city officials' silence due to pending litigation, the union representing Johnson has not yet responded to inquiries.
The Bauer family's grief is compounded by revelations of Johnson's driving record. According to FOX 2, Johnson's troubling track record includes 19 on-the-job incidents, among them, another fatal crash in 2015, which the family did not know until after Janice's death. The family's lawyer, Heather Atnip, has not only filed a lawsuit but is also demanding the release of all videos and information related to the crash and significant policy changes.
Janice Bauer's reliance on public transportation, as an employee at SMART in Oakland County, adds a poignant layer to the tragedy. "It was hard to talk about how much she relied on public transportation, and that’s how she died," Margaret Bauer told Local 4. As part of the lawsuit, attorney Atnip is confronting the city over its policies and accused officials of withholding crucial information.
