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RTA honors two coach operators for helping a missing passenger with Alzheimer’s
Summary
Riverside Transit Agency recognized coach operators Annie Irieta and Robert Espinosa with hero awards after they assisted and reported a missing elderly passenger who was later confirmed as having Alzheimer's disease.
Riverside Transit Agency on Aug. 28 presented hero awards to coach operators Annie Irieta and Robert Espinosa for assisting a missing elderly passenger and helping ensure he received care.
Chair Hemingway described the Aug. 8 incident: while operating Route 15, coach operator Annie Irieta picked up an elderly passenger who appeared disoriented and helped guide him to his destination. At the route's last stop at the Gallery at Tyler Mall the passenger remained on board; Irieta asked about his destination and reported concerns to dispatch. Moments later, Robert Espinosa, operating Route 13 at the same mall, spotted the same man sitting on the ground in distress and — after receiving the missing-person alert — confirmed the person matched the description and made sure he received assistance. The board said the man was later identified as a missing person with Alzheimer's disease.
The chair presented the awards and thanked the operators for demonstrating compassion, care and teamwork. The honorees declined to speak on the record; the board then took photos and proceeded with the agenda.
