Bus driver defends actions in confrontation with bicyclist
A South Portland (Maine) School Department driver who was summonsed after an argument with a bicyclist in which he briefly trapped his hand in the door when he started to drive away, said the bicyclist got aggressive.
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A South Portland School Department bus driver who was summonsed by the Portland Police Department after a confrontation with a bicyclist last week defended his actions, WMTW reports.
Portland police issued the summons to bus driver Leon Spear for failing to give bicyclist Ryan Stover the three feet of space required by Maine law, according to the news outlet.
Stover recorded the incident with a camera mounted on his bicycle and his helmet. He told WMTW that the bus’ mirror came close to his head. When Spear stopped the bus at a crosswalk, Stover said he rode up to him to confront him. In the recording, the two argued over the bus passing Stover and Spear is seen closing the door and briefly trapping Stover’s hand.
Spear told WMTW media partner WGAN that Stover got aggressive and that he didn’t know whether he was going to try to board the bus, so he closed the door and drove away, not knowing that Stover’s hand was in the door. The district is investigating the incident.
To read the full story, go here.
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