Victim says the close-quarters clash left her eyes burning and commuters stunned.
THE BRONX, N.Y. — A Bronx woman with a disability says she was sprayed in the face with hand sanitizer by another passenger during a confrontation over seating on a 4 train this week, a case that had drawn attention by Wednesday, Nov. 26, after she described it on local television.
The account, shared during a News 12 segment, highlights ongoing tensions on crowded trains and how quickly small disagreements can turn volatile. The woman, identified as Nadine Vasquez, said the encounter began when another rider squeezed onto a bench and leaned into her without warning. Officials had not announced an arrest by Thursday, Nov. 27, and it remained unclear whether a formal complaint was filed the day of the incident or afterward.
Vasquez said she was seated when the train doors closed and the car jerked forward. A woman “threw herself” onto the partial seat space next to her, pinning Vasquez’s arm and cane before words were exchanged. “She didn’t say, ‘Excuse me, can you move over?’ She threw herself on my arm,” Vasquez said in the TV interview. As the back-and-forth continued, the other rider produced a small sanitizer bottle and sprayed it toward her face. The liquid stung, she said, and fellow passengers offered napkins while some recorded on phones. The woman with the bottle exited soon after as the train pulled into a Bronx station along the Jerome Avenue line.
Vasquez said she feared the spray might contain additives that could worsen irritation but did not report lasting injury. She described the car as crowded with pre-holiday riders, making it hard to move away. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority did not immediately release details about any conductor alerts, platform reports, or whether car cameras captured the moment. The New York Police Department did not provide a suspect description tied to a complaint from the time window Vasquez discussed on air, and investigators had not publicized a search by Thursday afternoon.
The 4 line, a workhorse route connecting the Bronx to Manhattan and Brooklyn, frequently sees standing-room-only conditions at University Heights, Mount Eden and other stations. Riders said space disputes over armrests, doorways and partial seats are common flashpoints, particularly when trains bunch and platforms fill. This episode follows a series of recent rider-on-rider confrontations across the system that, while often brief, can leave victims shaken and complicate rush-hour operations when trains are held for medical checks or police responses.
If a complaint proceeds, investigators typically review station and on-car footage, match the timing with train movement logs and canvass for witnesses who can corroborate the sequence of events. Any charging decision could depend on whether authorities determine the spray caused injury or was used in a way that created a risk of harm. Transit officials say they expect to share updates if a suspect is identified from images or witness accounts. As of late Thursday, no additional information had been released.
On Thursday morning, riders on the platform near Fordham Road said cramped conditions can turn tense in seconds. “People get impatient when a seat looks open, even if it isn’t,” said commuter Marisol Rivera, who rides to Midtown for work. “Most days nothing happens, but once in a while someone crosses the line.” Another passenger, David Chen, called the reported spraying “unacceptable,” adding that he hopes cameras help find the person responsible. Vasquez said she wants accountability and to feel safe taking the train she relies on daily.
By Thursday evening, officials had not announced an arrest or suspect search tied to the case. The 4 line was running on a regular schedule, and any update from investigators was expected if new evidence emerges.
Author note: Last updated November 27, 2025.