Update: Suspect charged in attack on bus driver

Update

The B.C Prosecution Service said Austin Phillips, 24, has been charged with two counts of assault following an incident August 19 involving a transit bus driver in Vernon.

“Mr. Phillips has been released to appear on August 29, 2019. As the matter is now before the court the BCPS will have no further comment and will provide no further information regarding this incident,” said Dan McLaughlin, Communications Counsel with the Service.

Original story

A man has been charged with assault after a Vernon transit driver was allegedly attacked over a smoking dispute.

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“The 24-year-old man is charged with assault in relation to this incident and was released from custody on numerous conditions including no contact with the victim, and no go to the bus transit station at 3000 31st Ave. in Vernon,” Vernon RCMP Cpl. Tania Finn said.

Mounties say a 59-year-old male driver was grabbed and assaulted after trying to get a man to put out his cigarette at the downtown exchange Monday.

The suspect also allegedly spat on a woman who tried to intervene.

The bus driver was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries, and B.C. Transit was not able to provide an update on his condition.

“To respect confidentially, we cannot provide an update on the status of the driver. We continue to work with First Transit to provide the required support for the driver,” an email from B.C. Transit Media Relations to Vernon Matters said.

“We do not tolerate disrespectful behavior and are supporting the police in their investigation to ensure the individual is held accountable. As this is an active police file, further comment will need to come from the RCMP.”