Union Defends Bus Operator Accused of Refusing Drug Test after Cross Bronx Expy Crash
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, MT VERNON -- At a press conference called by the Union, TWU Local 100 Vice President for MABSTOA Richard Davis defended the actions of Bus Operator Everton Beccan, 55, whose articulated city bus went through a guardrail on an overpass and came to rest dangling over the Cross Bronx Expressway at 11PM last Thursday night. Brother Beccan, suffering a broken jaw as well as facial lacerations and neck and back injuries, evacuated his passengers and called 911 for help.
Transported to the hospital by EMS, Brother Beccan was administered a breathalyzer test that revealed zero alcohol in his system. The MTA subsequently stated that he refused a urine test. The union called the press conference to show that in fact, a urine test was administered to Brother Beccan, the results of which are pending. Speaking to the press, Brother Beccan said that because of the COVID-19 restrictions at the hospital, the general confusion, and his serious injuries, the drug screen was not administered right away. Also discussing the safety issues at the accident scene was TWU Safety Rep Joseph DiPaola.
WPIX-TV livestreamed the entire press conference on Facebook and you can see that here. Scroll down to see the FB live broadcast of the press event.