Las Vegas Bus Driver Accused of Ignoring Pleas for Help During Fatal Stabbing

Lawsuit alleges driver failed to stop bus for 4 minutes as passenger was stabbed 33 times

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:52am

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An extreme close-up of a single bloodied knife blade against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A violent attack on a Las Vegas bus exposes gaps in public transit safety protocols.Las Vegas Today

A Las Vegas bus driver is accused of ignoring a passenger's cries for help and refusing to pull over for 4 minutes as the passenger, who had cognitive disabilities, was being stabbed to death by another rider. The family of 30-year-old Dominique Lucas has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bus agency, its operating company, and the driver, Marvin Scott, following Lucas's 2023 murder on the bus.

Why it matters

The case has raised concerns about passenger safety and the duty of care for public transit operators, especially when confronted with violent incidents. It also highlights the challenges of balancing passenger safety with preventing suspects from fleeing, as the driver claimed he did not want the attacker to escape and potentially harm others.

The details

According to the lawsuit, on February 26, 2023, Lucas was riding the bus to his job as a dishwasher when he was randomly attacked and "violently stabbed" 33 times by 62-year-old Aaron Cole. Surveillance video shows Lucas pleading with the driver, "Let me off, let me off!" for at least 4 minutes as the attack unfolded, but the driver, Marvin Scott, continued driving down the road instead of pulling over. The lawsuit alleges Scott "knew or should have known that a physical altercation was likely to occur" after hearing Cole "verbally accosting" Lucas prior to the attack, but failed to intervene.

  • On February 26, 2023, Dominique Lucas was murdered on an RTC bus in Las Vegas.
  • The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lucas's family was settled last week.

The players

Dominique Lucas

A 30-year-old man with cognitive disabilities who was murdered on a Las Vegas bus in 2023.

Aaron Cole

A 62-year-old man charged with open murder with a deadly weapon for the alleged attack on Dominique Lucas. He is scheduled to go on trial in September and prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

Marvin Scott

The bus driver who allegedly ignored Lucas's pleas for help and continued driving the bus for 4 minutes during the fatal stabbing attack.

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)

The public transit agency that operated the bus where the incident occurred.

Keolis

The company that was operating the bus for RTC at the time of the incident.

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What they’re saying

“He wanted to be let off the bus.”

— Donniesha Lucas, Dominique Lucas's sister

“Why was he not let off the bus? He didn't deserve that.”

— Donniesha Lucas, Dominique Lucas's sister

“It appeared that the driver had ample opportunity on multiple occasions to move over immediately to his right and park along the curb.”

— Robert Berkstresser, Transportation consultant

What’s next

Aaron Cole is scheduled to go on trial in September for the alleged attack on Dominique Lucas. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Cole is convicted.

The takeaway

This tragic case has raised serious questions about passenger safety and the duty of care for public transit operators, especially when confronted with violent incidents. It highlights the need for comprehensive safety protocols and training to ensure drivers can effectively respond to emergencies and protect vulnerable riders.