A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he attacked a 78-year-old RTC driver in February 2025.
The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says Ryan Mastelotto will be eligible for parole after serving 8 years.
Prosecutors say video from the bus showed Mastelotto had been sitting at the back of the bus when he walked up to the driver and asked him to stop. After the driver pulled the bus over, he said he changed his mind and wanted to be taken to the next bus stop. Again, the driver complied, and again, Mastelotto said he decided he wanted to go to the next stop. At that point, the driver told Mastelotto he needed to get off the bus.
That's when prosecutors say Mastelotto attacked the victim, hitting him in the head and knocking him to the ground where he repeatedly hit, kicked, and stomped on the man. Authorities say Mastelotto then drove the bus a short distance before cursing at the victim on the ground and leaving.
The driver was taken to the hospital with multiple fractured ribs and jaw and trauma to his head and face.
FEBRUARY 5, 2025:
Police have arrested a man they say punched and kicked a 78-year-old RTC bus driver in Sparks late Monday morning.
Police say onboard video shows 28-year-old Ryan Mastelotto punching and then kicking the bus driver near Glendale Avenue and Linda Way.
The suspect was later found near the RTC station in Reno and arrested.
The unidentified bus driver was transported to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Mastelotto was then booked into the Washoe County Jail for Battery on a Protected Person Causing Substantial Bodily Harm.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County said it is working with local law enforcement on this case and thanks the combined efforts of all agencies involved in the arrest of the suspect.
If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
