The family of an Atlanta woman killed in March as she crossed a busy street to catch a MARTA bus is suing the driver.
In a lawsuit filed this week in Fulton County Superior Court, the family of Maria Diego-Mateo alleges MARTA bus driver Vincent Barker improperly stopped the bus on the evening of March 5 to allow the 39-year-old woman to board.
Barker’s actions, according to the lawsuit, had the effect of luring Diego-Mateo into busy Fulton Industrial Boulevard, where at least one vehicle struck the mother of five without stopping.
The family contends in the suit that Barker saw Diego-Mateo in the median trying to catch the MARTA bus moments after he pulled from a stop at the intersection of Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Bakers Ferry Road. Barker pulled onto the shoulder, which partially blocked the right lane and obscured Diego-Mateo’s view of traffic, according to the suit.
“In doing so,” the family said in the suit, “defendant Vincent Barker encouraged Maria Diego-Mateo to cross the dark, busy street to board the MARTA bus, and Maria Diego-Mateo attempted to run across the street to catch the bus. As Maria Diego-Mateo crossed the street, she was hit by multiple vehicles and suffered fatal injuries.”
MARTA spokesman Lyle Harris declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.
Fulton police initially were searching for one vehicle after the woman was hit, but later investigators expanded the search to more vehicles possibly involved.
Police have not made an arrest in the case, Lt. Scott McBride said Wednesday.
About the Author
