Bus driver accused of locking passenger inside baggage compartment

BOSTON — State Police in Connecticut arrested a woman they say locked a female passenger inside the baggage compartment of a Peter Pan bus.

The victim called 911 from inside a Peter Pan bus headed to Boston, telling them she was trapped under the bus, inside the baggage compartment.

Police were able to trace the woman's location and confirmed she had been traveling along I-84 before her phone died.

Troopers pulled over the bus in Willington, near Exit 70, and found the woman inside the baggage compartment.

She climbed out and declined medical treatment. Instead, the woman pointed to the female bus driver who she says purposefully locked her inside the baggage compartment while the woman was trying to grab something from her bag.

The female driver, 49-year-old Wendy Alberty, of East Lyme, was not driving the bus when it was pulled over, but was found inside the bus and charged with breach of peace, reckless endangerment and unlawful restraint.

Alberty is being held on $2,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Court on Aug. 21.

Peter Pan Bus Lines issued a statement to Boston 25 News in response to the incident:

In regards to the incident that took place on August 4, 2019 we are deeply concerned and treating this as out #1 priority.

The Operator in question is currently on investigative suspension as we continue to investigate all aspects of this incident as well as cooperate with Connecticut State Police.

This Operator has been with Peter Pan Bus Lines since 2012 and she has been an exemplary employee for the company. Over her tenure she has received many customer commendations on her safe driving and customer service.

In our companies [company's] 86-year history we have never had an incident such as this, the safety of our passengers and employees is always our number one priority.

Cox Media Group