San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has filed charges of premeditated attempted murder and attempted robbery against Mario Felix, aged 50, after an alarming incident in Escondido involving an MTS bus driver who was stabbed multiple times, the district attorney's office reported. Felix, who pleaded not guilty in Vista Superior Court, could face up to 65 years to life in prison if convicted, as he is currently held with no bail option.
The altercation took place this Wednesday when Felix demanded a free ride and, subsequently, the driver's wallet, threatening and assaulting the driver when his demands were not met. The driver sustained severe injuries but managed to momentarily push the assailant off the bus before Felix returned to deliver a final stab. Police could quickly locate and arrest Felix behind a dumpster, following guidance from witnesses. As per data examined by the District Attorney's office, there have been over 1,200 cases with a transit link over 17 months, with a significant 65% spike in incidents since the summer of 2023.
According to Hoodline, the suspect's arrest occurred near a Barnes and Noble bookstore after a brief confrontation with the police. The accused has a history of criminal behavior and was on probation at the time of the attack. Despite the ordeal, the bus driver was treated at the scene and is in stable condition after being admitted to Palomar Medical Center. The incident, captured on video, corroborates that Felix attempted to take the driver's wallet forcibly.
"Bus drivers and transit workers have been increasingly subjected to violence as they perform their important and essential jobs," DA Stephan said. "This case is a horrific example of an escalating threat that makes the already-difficult job of transit workers more dangerous," as the San Diego County District Attorney's Office reported. The office, in collaboration with the Escondido Police Department, plans to work closely to ensure the safety of transit workers and passengers.
Felix is scheduled to appear in court again on August 20, with Deputy District Attorney Keith Watanabe leading the prosecution. As the judicial process unfolds, the case stands as a stark reminder of the risks transit workers regularly face and underscores the urgent necessity to address public transportation safety.
