LAUREL, Md. (AP) — A paratransit driver has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman with an intellectual disability.
Metro Transit Police said in a statement that 44-year-old MetroAccess driver Derrick L. Bowen was arrested Tuesday night on sexual-offense and assault charges.
Authorities say Bowen stopped his MetroAccess van in a church parking lot in Laurel and engaged in a sexual act with the woman. Police say nobody else was in the van at the time of the incident.
Investigators say a witness called 911 and the victim was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.
Bowen works for Transdev, one of the companies Metro contracts with to provide the door-to-door service for the elderly and people with disabilities.
It was not immediately clear whether Bowen has an attorney.
Speaking at a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld called Bowen’s arrest a “sickening situation.” He said Metro contractors are typically vetted as a condition of their employment.
“We’re doing thousands of trips of days with individuals that we expect to be professionals and act professional all the time,” Wiedefeld said.
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