Bus Driver Accused Of Hitting Pregnant Passenger

CHEVY CHASE, MD — A Montgomery County Transit Services employee has been arrested and charged after police said he assaulted a pregnant woman on a Ride On bus.

On Feb. 3, police and Montgomery County Fire Rescue responders were called to the 5400 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase for a reported assault.

Video evidence showed an argument began between the bus driver — Paul Simms, 36, of Laurel — and the victim. The argument escalated and police said Simms strangled and physically assaulted the victim before throwing her to the ground outside of the bus.

On Feb. 4 Simms turned himself in at the 2nd District Station, where he was served with an arrest warrant.

Simms has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, crime of violence against a pregnant person, and reckless endangerment.

He is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is awaiting a bond hearing.