MTA bus driver fired after fatal pedestrian accident, victim's family speaks out

The MTA has confirmed to Eyewitness News that it has fired a bus driver involved in a fatal accident that killed a pedestrian in August. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne spoke exclusively with the victim's family, ABC 7 news reports
 

"My heart is broken," said Roberta Keys, grieving the loss of her daughter, Amesha Keys.
 

Amesha, 31, was struck and killed by an MTA bus on August 6 in Jamaica, Queens. She leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter.
 

Roberta Keys explained that Amesha was on her way home from her job as a manager at a Sephora in Manhattan around 10:30 p.m. when the tragedy occurred. Amesha had just exited a bus at the intersection of Baisley Boulevard and Bedell Street.
 

According to the NYPD, Amesha was attempting to cross the street when the bus, making a left turn, hit her. The driver continued driving, and it remains unclear if she realized she had struck someone. The NYPD is still investigating the incident.
 

"It feels like a dream," said Shamiel Keys, Amesha’s brother. "I still can't believe it."
 

The MTA confirmed the driver's dismissal. They noted she had joined NYC Transit in April 2022 and had passed routine drug and alcohol tests.
 

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber expressed sympathy for Amesha Keys' family, stating, "There’s a huge hole in New York's heart whenever we lose someone, especially in a mass transit accident," during an August 16 press briefing.
 

The New York City Department of Transportation is reviewing the street design of the intersection, as it does after any traffic fatality. A spokesperson mentioned that over the past five years, six pedestrians had suffered minor injuries at this location. This is the first incident involving a serious injury and fatality.
 

"One traffic death on our roads is too many, and our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones," the spokesperson said.
 

The family has filed a notice of claim against the city and the MTA regarding Amesha Keys' death.
 

"We're investigating whether the city's design of that intersection contributed to the accident," said Nicholas Liakas, the family's attorney.
 

"I just want to make sure no one else has to go through this at that corner," Roberta Keys added.