A bus carrying passengers from Las Cruces to El Paso ended up crossing the median on Interstate 10 and crashing in oncoming traffic near milepost 149 Thursday evening, after a 24-year-old rider allegedly lunged over the driver and grabbed the steering wheel. The man, identified as Aroni Alberto Diaz, was taken into custody at the scene and now faces charges of aggravated assault and battery.
According to KFOX14/CBS4, the crash was reported at about 7:05 p.m. The driver reportedly shifted the bus into neutral and applied the emergency brake to stop it. A passenger helped pull Diaz away from the driver and steering wheel, the station reported. No injuries were reported.
A Tense Ride Before the Crash
The station’s account says Diaz was seated in the front row across from the driver and had reportedly behaved combatively with staff earlier at the Greyhound city bus station on West Lohman Avenue in Las Cruces. During the trip, he allegedly asked whether the bus was going to El Paso and then Juarez; the driver said he was headed to downtown El Paso.
According to the same account, Diaz allegedly told the driver to call the El Paso Police Department and screamed when the driver refused. He then allegedly lunged over the driver and grabbed the wheel, sending the bus across the median and crashing in oncoming traffic near milepost 149. The report describes a passenger intervening to pull Diaz away before alleging that Diaz pulled out a knife. All lanes were reportedly closed after the collision.
Greyhound’s Rules for Passengers
Greyhound’s published onboard rules ask passengers to remain seated while the bus is moving and prohibit unruly behavior, including shouting or disturbing the driver or other passengers.
Diaz Climbed Out, Deputies Took Him Into Custody
Diaz allegedly opened the bus doors and climbed out after the crash. The report says Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office deputies had taken him into custody by the time a state police investigator arrived. Diaz later told an investigator he feared he was going to be dismembered and spoke about organ harvesting. He refused a medic’s examination at the scene.
Video shared with the station by viewer Kint reportedly captured moments inside the bus, including Spanish-language cries translated as “help” and “let me out.” Doña Ana County jail records list Diaz’s arrest and charges, according to KFOX14/CBS4.
Knife Recovery and Possible Additional Charges
It remains unclear whether the knife described in the incident was recovered or whether additional charges will be filed. New Mexico’s statutory framework for assault offenses includes aggravated assault, as outlined in New Mexico Statutes Section 30-3-2.
