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MARTA bus driver arrested after passenger dragged while exiting bus

Elderly Woman Dragged by MARTA Bus: MyFoxATLANTA.com

A woman was injured after her arm was stuck in the door of a MARTA bus and she was dragged about 63 feet on May 8, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Bus driver Belinda McMillan, 52, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct in connection with the Atlanta bus accident. Witnesses  told Atlanta police that McMillan drove away after the incident, which occurred at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Mayson Turner Road in northwest Atlanta, according to the AJC.

The victim was identified as Lettie Robinson, 62, who was exiting the bus and turned to retrieve her purse from inside the bus. The front door then closed on her arm and the bus began moving, dragging Robinson, police told the AJC.

Bystanders tried to alert the driver, according to news reports. A witness apparently drove in front of the bus to stop the bus. The bus driver stopped and opened the door. The victim fell to the ground and rolled in front of the bus, police told the AJC.

Police said the woman, who uses a walker, sustained a broken arm and cuts on her legs and head. She was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The driver was placed on administrative leave while MARTA conducts a full internal investigation, according to the Journal Constitution.

"The allegations in this incident are extremely serious," said Atlanta personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays. "MARTA has a duty to ensure safety and security of all passengers. We hope this incident is fully investigated and proper action is taken to make sure such incidents do not happen in the future. Hopefully, the passenger who was injured makes a full and speedy recovery."