On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) announced that a Montgomery County Transit Services employee had been arrested and charged with assault and endangerment after allegedly strangling and physically attacking a pregnant woman during an altercation on a Ride On bus in Chevy Chase. Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin released the following statement regarding the incident:
“I want to address a recent incident involving one of our bus operators. On Monday evening, Feb. 3, around 5:30 p.m. at the Friendship Heights Metro Station, a verbal altercation between a County bus operator and a passenger led to the bus operator becoming physically violent with the passenger. While both individuals engaged in a verbal argument, that does not justify or excuse the actions of the bus operator who failed to follow training and established procedures for handling such situations.
Our bus operators are dedicated members of our community, typically upholding the high standards for customer care and service in what can sometimes be challenging circumstances. The behavior of the bus operator in this incident was unacceptable and violates our standards and values. As such, the bus operator has been removed from service, placed on unpaid leave, and we intend to dismiss him from County employment pending completion of the due process called for in County regulations.
We have been informed that the incident is under active investigation by the police, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement. I offer my apologies to all the passengers affected by this altercation.”
MCPD news release: “On Monday, February 3, 2025, officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District station, along with Montgomery County Fire Rescue, responded to the 5400 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase for a reported assault.
Video evidence showed a verbal altercation began between the bus driver, 36-year-old Paul Simms of Laurel, and the pregnant female victim. The argument escalated and resulted in Simms strangling and physically assaulting the victim before throwing her to the ground outside of the bus.
Montgomery County Police obtained an arrest warrant, and on Tuesday, February 4, Simms turned himself in at the 2nd District Station, where he was served with the warrant. Simms has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, crime of violence against a pregnant person, and reckless endangerment. Simms is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit where he is awaiting a bond hearing.”