Man with 12-inch knife hijacked CTA bus until driver bailed out downtown: prosecutors

A horrifying incident unfolded in Chicago in the early hours of Wednesday morning when a CTA bus driver was hijacked by a passenger armed with a 12-inch knife. The 57-year-old driver, who had only been on the job for six months, found herself in a terrifying situation as she was forced to drive across the city by the assailant, identified as Lanell Fields, 51.

According to prosecutors, Fields boarded the bus around 2 a.m. on Pulaski Road and initially sat with a group of passengers. However, about 20 minutes into the ride, the driver noticed Fields waving the knife, prompting most of the passengers to exit the bus. Despite leaving the doors open in hopes that Fields would leave, he remained on board and eventually moved to the front, sitting directly behind the driver.

For nearly an hour, Fields held the driver captive, ordering her to drive off her route, go faster, and run through red lights and stop signs. Throughout the ordeal, he brandished the knife, yelled at her, and made incoherent statements. Despite the terrifying situation, the driver remained calm and managed to alert CTA dispatch by hitting a panic button and sending messages.

As the bus approached Clark and Delaware, a CTA supervisor was able to intercept the vehicle. Seizing the opportunity, the driver opened the doors and escaped through the window, while Fields fled from the scene. After a search, police located Fields and he was identified by both the driver and the CTA supervisor as the perpetrator. A large knife matching the one seen on surveillance footage was also found in his possession.

Records show that Fields has a lengthy criminal history, with over 60 arrests in the past 26 years, including numerous felonies. In light of the incident, Judge D’Anthony Thedford detained Fields on charges of aggravated armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a weapon against a state employee, and aggravated unlawful restraint.

This harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by public transportation workers and the importance of safety measures in place to protect them. The bravery and quick thinking of the bus driver in this situation undoubtedly saved her from further harm.