84-YEAR-OLD STRUCK BY 76-YEAR-OLD BUS DRIVER.

Byline: Donna Huffaker Staff Writer

An 84-year-old woman was listed in serious condition Wednesday after a 76-year-old MTA bus driver hit her as she crossed the street, officials said.

Beatrice Krikorian, of Glendale suffered broken ribs and other injuries and was listed in serious condition at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, said spokeswoman Adelaida De La Cerda.

Krikorian was crossing Glendale Avenue at Raleigh Street at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday when a bus driven by Elliott Burt Forrest knocked her to the ground, according to a police report written by Officer Aaron Hamilton.

Forrest told Hamilton he saw the woman run in front of him but was unable to stop the bus ``due to the condition of the brakes,'' the report said.

And while the driver told Hamilton the woman was not in the crosswalk, Krikorian and a witness said she crossed properly, inside the lines.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Bill Heard said Forrest is one of the authority's oldest drivers. There is no age limit; however all drivers over age 55 are required to take exams every year that test eyesight and blood pressure. As long as the drivers pass the tests and maintain an acceptable driving record, they can continue to drive, regardless of age, he said.

All drivers, as required by the state of California, also must take an operator exam every two years, he said.

Once a collision occurs in which a person is injured or more than $1,000 damage results, the driver must undergo a drug and alcohol test to make sure neither was a contributing factor, Heard said.

Heard said they will hold the bus out of service and complete a safety inspection on Thursday.

A man who answered the phone at Forrest's Tarzana home Wednesday identified himself as Forrest's son and said his father had gone to work and would be driving until 2 a.m. today.

Citing the Tuesday collision as a personnel matter, Heard declined to say whether Forrest has been suspended or will continue to drive his routes. There is an internal investigation under way, he said.

Forrest has been with the company for 17 years, Heard said.

Krikorian, whose dress was bloodied and eyeglasses mangled, told police she was in the crosswalk when a ``large car'' hit her, the police report said.

Based on the information police received, it appears Forrest failed to yield to a pedestrian, the accident report said.

Sgt. Rick Young said Forrest has not been cited, and an investigation is ongoing.