Pittsburgh Regional Transit Bus Driver Failed to Report Sexual Assault of Female Passenger

PRT Bus Driver Failed To Report Sexual Assault On His Bus in Pittsburgh

A Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus driver did not call police after an 18-year-old woman allegedly told him she had been sexually assaulted, choked, and threatened with rape aboard his bus, according to a criminal complaint. It took a second driver — a woman — to call 911, lock the victim inside the bus for her protection, and read the suspect's license plate as he drove away.

Suspect Charged After Teen Accuses Him of Sexual Assault on Bus

Donovan Ivey, 25, of McKeesport, was charged by transit police in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a woman on the PRT bus in Pittsburgh. As of Monday, he had not been arraigned, and an active warrant remained outstanding for his arrest. He faces a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, simple assault and indecent assault, and a summary harassment charge.

Details of the Alleged Assault on Public Transit in Pennsylvania

According to the complaint, the woman and Ivey had been communicating on Snapchat for about three months and had met once before in West View. On May 23, she had been at a McDonald's in West View for several hours when Ivey arrived. They boarded a nearby bus together. While waiting at the stop, she told police, Ivey repeatedly tried to place her hand on his groin and forced her to drink vodka he had hidden inside a Gatorade bottle.
The two later transferred to a second bus on Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. At the back of that bus, Ivey sexually assaulted her and squeezed her throat until she had difficulty breathing, the complaint states.

The bus continued to the McKeesport Transportation Center, and before Ivey got off, the woman reported he asked her: "What if I raped you while you were sleeping?" When she said she would not want that, he replied, "Doesn't matter, I'm gonna do it anyways." After Ivey disembarked and walked to his vehicle, the woman told the male bus driver what had happened. He did not call it in.

Victim Reports Alleged Sexual Assault to Female Bus Driver

She then boarded another bus driven by a woman. That driver called 911 from her cell phone, locked the woman inside the bus to keep her safe, stepped off, read Ivey's license plate as he drove past, and reported the details to dispatchers. McKeesport officers stopped Ivey in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue and transported him to transit police headquarters, where investigators say he agreed to be questioned.

Suspect Denies Allegations of Sexual Assault

Ivey initially denied any assault, acknowledging only that he had kissed the woman. His account shifted as questioning continued. He admitted to touching her thigh, calling it consensual. Asked whether he had choked her, he said he did not think he had, then said he may have placed his hands on her neck but applied no pressure. Police noted he gave what they described as "non-committal answers" throughout. Just before the interview ended, he admitted to grabbing the woman's breasts while they were kissing.

Transit Authority Declines Comment

PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said Monday he was unable to comment while a criminal case is pending. It remains unclear what action, if any, the transit authority has taken regarding the male driver who did not report the assault.

The factual information above was sourced from monvalleyindpendent.com as of June 1, 2026.

The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.

What Legal Options Do Sexual Assault Victims Have After an Attack on Public Transit?

When a sexual assault happens on a public bus, the criminal case against the attacker is only part of the picture. Victims may also have the right to hold the transit authority itself legally accountable — yet many survivors never know that option exists. Pennsylvania sexual abuse attorney Ashley DiLiberto breaks down what victims can do, what they need to prove, and why acting quickly can make all the difference.

Q: Can a victim sue a public transit authority if an assault happens on one of their buses?

A: Yes, in many cases they can. Public transit agencies have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for their passengers. If the agency's negligence — whether through inadequate safety protocols, poor employee training, or a failure by staff to respond appropriately — contributed to the harm a victim suffered, there may be a strong civil claim against the authority itself, separate from any criminal case against the assailant.

Q: What does a victim need to show to hold a transit authority liable?

A: Generally, a victim would need to demonstrate that the transit authority knew or should have known that a risk existed and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. Evidence that an employee witnessed or was told about an assault and did nothing can be particularly significant in establishing that kind of negligence. Documentation, surveillance footage, police reports, and witness accounts all become very important.

Q: Are there deadlines victims need to be aware of when filing a civil claim against a government agency in Pennsylvania?

A: Absolutely, and this is something survivors need to understand as soon as possible. Claims against government entities in Pennsylvania are governed by the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, which imposes strict notice requirements and shorter filing windows than standard personal injury cases. Missing those deadlines can permanently bar a victim from recovering compensation, so speaking with an attorney early is critical.

Q: What kind of compensation can a victim potentially recover in a civil case?

A: A civil case can address things the criminal process simply cannot. Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical and psychological treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the long-term emotional trauma that follows an assault. For many survivors, the civil process is also about accountability — holding institutions responsible for the conditions that allowed the harm to occur.

Q: What would you say to a survivor who is unsure whether to come forward legally?

A: I would tell them that their experience matters and that they have options. You do not have to navigate this alone, and a consultation with an attorney costs nothing. Understanding your rights does not commit you to anything — it just gives you the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.

You Don't Have To Face This Alone — Call Us Today

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted on a public bus or any form of public transportation, you may have legal options that go far beyond the criminal case. A transit authority's failure to protect its passengers is not something survivors should have to absorb on their own. Our attorneys are ready to listen, answer your questions, and fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation — because what happened to you matters, and so does what comes next.