Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed After Phoenix Mother Killed by Valley Metro Bus
Angelica did everything right. She was in the crosswalk. She had the walk signal. She was simply trying to get to work,
Jonathan O’Steen, attorney for the family, said in a news release. Salvador Velazquez filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court on behalf of the family of Angelica Davila, who was struck and killed by a Valley Metro bus operated by Transdev Services Inc., KTAR News reported.
Intersection Collision at 59th Avenue and Van Buren Street
The fatal crash occurred early on May 28, 2026, as Davila was changing buses near 59th Avenue and Van Buren Street while commuting to her job at the Arizona Department of Corrections. According to the court complaint, bus driver Ana Maria Rivas looked left while steering the vehicle to the right, striking Davila in a marked crosswalk where she had the walk signal. The complaint states that Rivas continued driving for seven seconds after impact, dragging Davila underneath the bus. Rivas pleaded guilty on August 3, 2026, to causing death by a moving violation.
Allegations Against Transdev Services and Driver History
The lawsuit targets Transdev Services Inc. for negligence in hiring, supervising, and retaining Rivas, as well as entrusting her with a public transit vehicle. Court documents allege that Rivas had been charged three times with driving on a suspended, revoked, or canceled license. Her driving record also reportedly includes speeding infractions, unsafe lane changes, and multiple failures to appear in court that triggered arrest warrants, alongside a court-ordered 12-month license suspension.
Before handing someone the keys to a public transit bus, a company needs to know who it’s putting behind the wheel,
attorney Matthew MacLeod said, according to O’Steen MacLeod Combs. We will hold Transdev accountable for the decisions that cost Angelica her life.
Family Seeks Damages for Failed Driver Vetting
The complaint outlines demands for compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of Davila’s surviving family members, including her children, who were 18 and 20 years old at the time of the crash, her husband, and her parents. Legal counsel maintains that the operator failed in its vetting process before placing Rivas behind the wheel of a transit bus.
Keep reading