The woman, who uses a cane, says the dispute started over a crowded seat on a 4 train.
NEW YORK — A woman with a disability says she was harassed and sprayed in the face with hand sanitizer by another rider during a confrontation on a northbound 4 train in the Bronx earlier this week, and she spoke publicly about it on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
The account adds to recent concerns over rider confrontations underground. The woman, identified by local TV as Nadine Vasquez, said the clash began when another passenger forced herself into a tight space on the bench beside her and then escalated into a spray of sanitizer. No arrest had been announced as of Thursday, Nov. 27. Transit officials did not immediately detail whether cameras captured the exchange or whether a complaint was formally filed, leaving open questions about the next steps in any investigation.
Vasquez said the rider “threw herself” onto her arm as the train moved through the Bronx. “She didn’t say, ‘Excuse me, can you move over?’ She threw herself on my arm,” Vasquez said, adding that she reacted in surprise before the woman doused her face with sanitizer. The incident unfolded on a 4 train serving the Jerome Avenue corridor, where stops include Mount Eden Avenue, 170th Street and 176th Street in University Heights. Vasquez, who uses a cane, said the liquid stung her eyes and left her shaken for the rest of the ride. Fellow passengers looked on as the pair argued. It was not immediately clear at which station the involved rider exited or whether anyone called for police at the platform.
In her interview, Vasquez described the other passenger as a woman who wedged into the bench without warning, setting off a tense exchange in a packed car. She said the sanitizer spray reached her face and clothes. Riders who saw the aftermath offered tissues and water, according to her account. Vasquez said she worried about lingering irritation and whether the sanitizer contained additives that could cause harm, though she did not report serious injury. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority did not provide additional details on Thursday about whether crews were alerted on the platform or whether station agents received a complaint. The New York Police Department did not immediately confirm an incident report tied to the time and line described by Vasquez.
Sanitizer can irritate eyes and skin, and liquid sprayed at close range has drawn police scrutiny in past altercations on public transit. The 4 line, a busy trunk running from Woodlawn through the Bronx and Manhattan to Brooklyn, carries thousands at the peak of the day and is often shoulder-to-shoulder between major stops. Riders described the evening rush this week as unusually crowded ahead of the holiday, increasing the odds of friction around bench seating and doorways. Trains on the line use cars equipped with multiple cameras, and many stations along the route also have surveillance coverage that can assist in identifying people after reported incidents.
As of Thursday, police had not announced any charges or a search for a specific suspect related to the case. If a complaint is filed, investigators typically review on-car and station camera footage, seek witness statements and look for consistent timelines with train movement logs. Any determination on potential charges could hinge on whether investigators conclude the sanitizer was used in a way that caused physical injury or posed a risk of harm. Transit officials said they expect to share updates if an investigation advances. Vasquez said she hopes the woman involved is identified and held accountable.
Vasquez told the station she still plans to use the subway but will be more cautious around crowded seats. On platforms in the Bronx on Thursday, several riders said they had seen arguments over seating and personal space rise in the run-up to the holiday. “People are stressed and the trains are packed,” said José Martinez, who commutes daily to Manhattan. “Most of us just want to get home.” A rider from University Heights said she now avoids squeezing into partially open spots. Others said they were relieved there were no serious injuries reported in this case.
By Thursday evening, no arrest had been announced. Transit officials said any confirmed developments would be shared when available; riders on the 4 line can expect regular service through the weekend barring unrelated delays.
Author note: Last updated November 27, 2025.