Mario Felix, the man who stabbed a bus driver nearly a dozen times, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Felix stabbed the bus driver August 2024 after demanding a free ride and the driver’s wallet at the Valley Parkway Transit Center in Escondido.
Police located him later hiding behind a dumpster near West Valley Parkway and Tulip Street. A knife was found nearby. The bus driver survived the attack despite severe injuries.
Felix has an extensive criminal history, according to the Escondido Police Department, including two prior convictions for assaults on Escondido police officers. He was on probation at the time of the stabbing.
“Unfortunately, attacks on bus drivers and other transportation workers have increased and as District Attorney, I want these valuable workers to know that they deserve safety and dignity. Attacks against them will be taken seriously. I want to commend the victim for his courage in persisting in the pursuit of justice alongside our team despite all the severe injuries from this vicious attack and the emotional trauma that it caused,” DA Summer Stephan said in a statement.
Felix pleaded guilty to attempted murder in March.