WE WILL NOT “SHUT THE  !#*$ UP AND DRIVE”!

Santa Monica, Calif. — On Sunday, October 19, Sister Nydia Sandoval, a Bus Operator for the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and proud member of SMART-TD Local 1785, was viciously assaulted while protecting her passengers during her route. 

Sandoval witnessed a male passenger, later identified by law enforcement as Ryan Harvey, robbing and assaulting two women aboard her bus. 

Sister Sandoval immediately intervened, ordering the man to stop harassing the passengers. Instead of backing down, Harvey told Sandoval to “Shut the !#*$ up, and drive!” before charging at her and sucker punching her in the face while she was actively operating the vehicle. 

After being hit, Sister Sandoval told SMART News, “I blacked out for a second and when I came to, I realized my face was wet with blood. I saw that he had gone to the back of the bus and was viciously beating the two women he had been harassing before. These ladies were in their 40s or 50s, and he was beating them like they were men.”  

Ryan Harvey May be Released on Bail 

The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus has since issued a prohibition order banning Harvey from using any of its buses. However, the formal order does not go into effect until November 4 and because he is eligible for bail, there is a possibility he could be released at any point prior to that date. 

SMART-TD urges all members in the Santa Monica and surrounding transit systems to remain vigilant and report any sightings of this individual to law enforcement immediately. Please take a moment to review his photo above and keep an eye out for him at all times while on duty. 

A Pattern of Violence in Santa Monica  

This is the fourth time Sandoval has been the victim of an assault on duty. She has been sexually assaulted by a passenger, she has been hit, and at one point, a bus she was driving had its windows broken out by a man wielding a hatchet. 

On the other three occasions, Sandoval escaped without physical harm. This time Harvey’s punch left a gash on her face that required eight stitches.  

“I am thankful that I didn’t completely pass out, or a lot of people could have been killed,” said Sister Sandoval. “I was driving a 40-foot bus that day and it was completely full. It is unacceptable how many lives he put in danger.”  

Professionalism Under Pressure 

Despite the assault, Sister Sandoval’s professionalism and composure prevailed. She managed to safely bring the coach to a stop, preventing what could have been a devastating result for everyone on the bus. 

SMART-TD would like to thank the responding officers from the Los Angeles Police Department who quickly arrived and placed Harvey under arrest. According to police reports, he is being charged with six felony counts, including multiple counts of assault, battery, and robbery. 

Call for Union Solidarity in Courtroom 

SMART-TD Alternate Vice President and Local 1785 member Markeisha Haynes is going to make sure our union is represented at Harvey’s court hearing.  

“We’re calling on all SMART-TD members who are able to attend, to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sister, Nydia Sandoval,” said Haynes. “We want the court, and the community, to know that assaults on transit professionals will never be ignored, minimized, or tolerated.” 

The hearing is on Monday, November 3, at 8:30 a.m. at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles). 

Barriers Needed for Operator Safety in LA 

This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for frontline transit workers, who continue to face increasing threats of violence across the nation. SMART-TD has long fought for (and will continue to fight for) legislation and safety measures that ensure every transit worker goes home safely at the end of their shift.  

“What I want is for people to see what happened here and realize we need better safety provisions on these buses,” Sister Sandoval told SMART News. “Reliable and glare-proof barriers that allow us to safely operate the bus while being kept separate from the public are not a luxury. They are essential to the safety of our drivers and the people on that bus when I got hit so hard, I blacked out while driving.”  

AVP Haynes agrees with Sandoval, saying “Our members are public safety professionals. When someone attacks one of us, they’re not just attacking a bus operator: they’re endangering an entire community. Make no mistake about it, we will not ‘Shut the !#*$ up and drive!’ I want as many SMART-TD brothers and sisters as possible to be in the courtroom, take every chance we get to let Ryan Harvey and everyone else in this country know that we have no intention of taking your abuse.”  

SMART-TD stands firmly with Sister Sandoval, commends her heroic actions, and reaffirms our commitment to the safety, dignity, and respect of every member who serves the public on the front lines of transportation. 

Solidarity means showing up, in the courtroom and in the community. Next Monday, let’s make sure our message is sent loud and clear to Ryan Harvey and every other dirtbag who thinks they can abuse us: You don’t get to assault one of ours and walk away.