Early Thursday morning, a New York City bus driver experienced a medical episode that led to a dramatic crash into a closed Burger King restaurant in Brooklyn, according to police reports. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus struck the fast food establishment shortly after midnight, causing significant damage. The driver was promptly taken to a hospital for treatment, while the two passengers on board fortunately escaped injury.
Early Morning Incident in Brooklyn
The accident occurred in the early hours when the bus veered off course and collided with the Burger King, which was closed at the time. The impact scattered debris and broken glass across the pavement, as seen in photos from the scene. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is currently investigating the incident to understand the exact circumstances that led to the crash.
Passenger Comes to the Rescue
One of the passengers, 60-year-old Valorie Turner, who is a medical worker, immediately sprang into action following the crash. Turner witnessed the driver moaning and appearing disoriented, prompting her to perform CPR. “He was moaning; he was saying whatever,” Turner recounted. “I started CPR.” Her quick response potentially played a crucial role in the driver’s immediate care before professional medical assistance arrived.
Turner described the bus’s sudden acceleration just before the crash, noting, “The bus started speeding up before it crashed, and before I knew it we were in Burger King.” Her account highlights the unexpected nature of the incident and the driver’s sudden loss of control.
The MTA has expressed relief that no passengers were injured and has commended Turner for her prompt and effective response. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of both drivers and passengers on the city’s transit system. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and readiness to respond in emergencies, as demonstrated by Turner’s heroic actions.