Greyhound bus passenger dies following altercation

Friday morning, June 27 at approximately 2:45 AM, YCSO deputies were dispatched to north I17 near milepost 311 regarding a disorderly male passenger on a http://arizonadailyindependentarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Greyhoundbus.png Bus. The bus was heading from Phoenix for a stop in Flagstaff when it became disabled on the I17. Upon arrival, deputies found the 53-year-old Tommy Clayton (next of kin notified) of Phoenix. unconscious and lying outside of the bus. Medical personnel arrived and attempts to revive the man were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead the scene.

Deputies and detectives interviewed the bus driver, an off-duty driver, and several passengers (about 50 on board), regarding the circumstances. Deputies learned that the Greyhound bus had stopped along I17 due to mechanical issues. While the bus was stationary, Mr. Clayton apparently impaired, from drugs or alcohol, began arguing with the driver and then attempted to assault the driver. An off-duty Greyhound driver intervened resulting in a physical confrontation with the man. The passenger collapsed inside the bus and later died.

It is unclear at this time if the confrontation with the off-duty driver resulted in the man’s death or other associated factors are involved. The body has been transferred to the Medical Examiner for a scheduled autopsy which toxicology should also reveal the nature of the impairment.

Detectives are processing evidence, documenting numerous witness statements and awaiting test results from the Medical Examiner’s autopsy expected in the next several days.