NY City bus driver helper Linda Hockaday is accused of leaving special needs person Edwin Rivera on a bus overnight

New York City bus driver helper Linda Hockaday is facing first and second degree reckless endangerment charges after she neglected to take 22 year old Edwin Rivera off a bus on New Year’s Eve.

According to prosecutors, Hockaday knew Rivera was asleep in the bus, but neglected to inform the bus driver because she did not want to retrace the bus route and take Rivera home, because she had to get to an appointment.

Rivera slept in 15 degrees temperature before being taken to Brookdale University Hospital Thursday morning.

Rivera’s sister Leslie Rivera who reported him missing told reporters that her brother was very, very cold and his fingers were blue.