New York Daily News

E. Side stolen-bus fuss

- Dan Rivoli and Thomas Tracy

A FORMER MTA bus driver wanted to be Sandra Bullock in “Speed” — but all that blew up was her brief bid for freedom.

The deranged woman, identified by sources as Charita Headley — a former MTA bus driver — commandeer­ed a city bus and took it on a three-block joyride on the Upper East Side early Tuesday.

The 34-year-old caused a commotion on the M101 bus moving north on Third Ave. when she lit a cigarette, officials said. Told by the driver to put it out, Headley refused and began hollering. She later said people were following her.

The bus reached E. 97th St. and Third Ave. when the driver hit the brakes and evacuated the bus. As he was escorting passengers out, Headley jumped behind the wheel and took off, officials said.

Headley had the knowhow to move the mammoth bus — she had been driving one for the MTA until she was fired in June for extended absences, according to sources.

She made it only three blocks when another bus managed to block Headley’s path long enough for MTA workers to pull her out.

She was charged with unauthoriz­ed use of a motor vehicle and taken to Metropolit­an Hospital for a psych evaluation, officials said.

Headley’s mother, Rosetta, told the Daily News she was proud of her daughter joining the MTA, but said her daughter had since struggled with mental health issues.

“She loves it. My daughter was the best driver,” Rosetta Headley said. “My daughter needs some help,” she added.

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