Rider Who Threw Urine On Bus Driver Must Undergo Mental Evaluation: Judge

WASHINGTON, DC — A DC woman who was arrested for throwing a cup of her own urine at a Metrobus driver appeared in court Thursday, where the judge decided that she must undergo a mental health evaluation, according to reports.

Opal L. Brown, 38, of Southeast Washington was arrested by Metro Transit Police officers at L'Enfant Plaza shortly before noon Wednesday. Police say she threw a cup of her urine at an X2 Metrobus driver Saturday evening, and charged her with misdemeanor assault.

NBC Washington reports that Brown pleaded not guilty. Her pastor was at the court appearance with her, and said:

"There has been exhibits or challenges before, but we've worked through them, and we pray, with the grace of God, we'll work through this as well," Pastor Robert Clemetson of Redeeming Love Church in Bowie, Maryland, said. "More importantly, we pray for the bus operator who was affected by this."

On-board digital cameras captured Brown relieving herself into a cup toward the back of the bus shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday. As the bus arrived at Minnesota Ave and Benning Road, NE, Brown approached the front of the bus and stood in the aisle holding the cup for a short period of time.

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• Cup Of Urine Thrown At DC Bus Driver: Police
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Brown then allegedly threw the urine around the protective shield and onto the bus operator when the bus arrived at the stop at Minnesota and Benning, police said.

The adult female bus driver was taken to a local hospital to be decontaminated, police said. She has yet to return to work.

ATU Local 689—a group that represents the operators, clerical and maintenance workers of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority—released a statement about the incident saying they've been encouraging Metro to make reforms on operator assaults for years.

"A disgusting act like the one on Saturday can not only endanger the operator, but also endanger everyone on that bus, the statement says. "Unnecessarily placing workers and the riding public in danger is never acceptable when Metro can and should do more."

Many members of ATU Local 689 were at the court hearing and pushed for tougher consequences for anyone who assaults a bus driver, according to NBC Washington.

Brown, who has been a metro rider for 35 years, told an NBC Washington reporter that she was "provoked" because the bus driver was rude.

"She said 'Have a nice day' all sarcastically," Brown told the reporter. "She could have been more courteous."

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Photo: Metro Transit Police