Ex-Convict Who Viciously Stabbed MTS Bus Driver Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a man who stabbed an MTS bus driver in August 2024 nearly a dozen times as passengers looked on, has been sentenced to prison.

Mario Felix, 51, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder in March, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.

“No one should fear for their life as they are performing their job, especially while they are in service to others as the victim was in this case by providing transportation to commuters,” DA Stephan said. “Unfortunately, attacks on bus drivers and other transportation workers have increased. As District Attorney, I want these valuable workers to know that they deserve safety and dignity and attacks against them will be taken very seriously. I want to commend the victim for his courage in persisting in the pursuit of justice alongside our team despite all of the severe injuries from this vicious attack and the emotional trauma that this caused.”

In August 2024, the MTS bus driver was making a stop at the Escondido Sprinter Station when Felix boarded the bus and asked for a free ride. When the driver told Felix that he must pay, he became enraged and demanded the driver’s wallet and threatened to kill him before unleashing a series of ferocious stabs, severely injuring the victim.

Witnesses followed Felix and he was later arrested by police hiding behind a dumpster and the bloody knife was found nearby.

Deputy DA Keith Watanabe and Deputy DA Miranda Tomaneng prosecuted this case with care and dedication. The DA victims services team provided support to the victim all along the way.