A violent roadside confrontation in Westchester County left a public transit worker with a brain injury, prompting felony charges and renewed safety concerns for transit employees.
White Plains, New York – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a Manhattan man has been charged with felony assault after allegedly placing an MTA bus driver in a chokehold and beating him during a roadside incident in Yonkers, leaving the victim hospitalized with a brain bleed.
Thywill Anasu, 29, was arraigned Wednesday in Yonkers City Court on one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, before Judge Daniel Romano. Bail was set at $5,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond, and the court issued a temporary order of protection for the victim. The Yonkers Police Department investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Major Case Bureau.
Violent confrontation followed traffic crash
According to a felony complaint, the incident occurred Saturday around 8:30 p.m. as the victim, an MTA bus driver, was operating a route between the Bronx and Westchester County. The bus was involved in a crash with a vehicle driven by Anasu as it approached the Bronx.
After both men exited their vehicles, prosecutors allege Anasu escalated the confrontation by placing the driver in a chokehold and applying pressure to his throat before throwing him to the ground. The impact caused the victim to strike his head on the pavement.
Authorities further allege that Anasu repeatedly punched the driver in the face with a closed fist during the assault, intensifying the severity of the injuries.
Victim suffers brain bleed, remains hospitalized
The victim sustained a brain bleed and significant pain to his head and right shoulder, requiring emergency medical treatment at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx, according to prosecutors. As of the arraignment, the driver remained hospitalized nearly a week after the incident.
“As alleged by my office, this brutal, unsparing attack on a public servant who was just doing his job must serve as a wake-up call to everyone in Westchester,” District Attorney Cacace said. “The victim was beaten so severely that he suffered a brain bleed and remains in the hospital.”
Cacace emphasized the broader implications for public sector safety, adding, “No one engaged in public service ought to feel as if they are risking life and limb when they clock into work.”
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Key Points
• Manhattan man charged with felony assault after chokehold attack on MTA bus driver
• Victim suffered brain bleed and remains hospitalized following Yonkers incident
• Bail set and protective order issued as case moves forward in Westchester County
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Rising concern over attacks on transit workers
The case reflects a growing pattern of assaults against public transit employees in the New York region and nationwide, where operators increasingly face violent confrontations while performing routine duties. Officials have called for stronger protections and accountability measures to deter such incidents.
The involvement of a roadway dispute escalating into a severe assault highlights the risks transit workers face beyond fare disputes or onboard incidents, extending to interactions outside their vehicles.
Anasu is scheduled to return to Yonkers City Court on April 14 as the case proceeds. Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue accountability consistent with the seriousness of the alleged attack, while the victim continues to receive medical care.
Thywill Anasu, Yonkers assault, MTA bus driver attack, Westchester County DA, transit worker safety