Whilby Avoids Pena Family, TWU Members in Court

Domonic Whilby, 23, who was drunkenly driving a stolen truck that crashed into Bus Operator William Pena's crosstown M14 bus, avoided a court hearing Tuesday that would have brought him into contact with the grieving Pena family and TWU Local 100 members wanting to see justice done in the case. Instead, Whilby's attorney managed to have the case remanded to State Supreme Court, where he will enter pleas on March 12th, in Part 32. Bus drivers, who donned black arm bands, waited in the courtroom until the end of the day, when the change of venue was granted by the presiding judge. The case has taken on wider interest in the media because Whilby is the nephew of actor/model Tyson Beckford, who was partying with Whilby before the events that led to Pena's death. TWU Local 100 encourages all members to be present to hear Mr. Whilby's plea to the charges preferred against him. The counts include vehicular manslaughter, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and felony assault. More will be added because Mr. Whilby was driving with a blood alcohol level that is twice the legal limit.