Normalinda Contreras, a disabled grandmother, has filed a lawsuit against the City of McAllen and several associated parties for alleged civil rights violations. The complaint was filed on November 22, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. It accuses the City of McAllen, its Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez, several police officers, and corporate entities Flix North America Inc., FlixBus Inc., and Greyhound Lines Inc. of discriminatory practices and excessive force.
The incident that sparked this legal battle occurred on November 24, 2023. Ms. Contreras boarded a FlixBus/Greyhound bus in McAllen, Texas with a handicapped-accessible ticket. When she found her reserved seating blocked by luggage, she moved a bag to sit down. This action led to an altercation with the bus driver who threatened her and called law enforcement. Instead of de-escalating the situation, seven to eight armed McAllen Police officers arrived and interrogated Ms. Contreras about her disability. Despite providing documentation of her medical condition, she was forcibly removed from the bus by an officer who kneed her in the back causing significant injuries.
Ms. Contreras alleges that the police’s actions were not only excessive but also discriminatory under federal laws including 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She claims that the City failed in training its officers properly regarding ADA compliance and de-escalation techniques which resulted in her unjust treatment. Furthermore, she accuses Flix North America Inc., FlixBus Inc., and Greyhound Lines Inc. of failing to provide proper accommodations as required by federal regulations and their own policies.
In her lawsuit, Ms. Contreras seeks compensatory damages for physical pain, emotional distress, economic losses due to unused transportation services, medical expenses both past and future, as well as punitive damages against individual officers for constitutional violations. She also requests injunctive relief mandating better training for drivers and staff on ADA compliance along with policy changes at Flix/Greyhound to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Representing Ms. Contreras are attorneys Courtney A. Vincent from Vincent Law PLLC along with Benjamin S. Campagna and David A. Bleakney Jr., both from TX Attorney Group PLLC. The case is presided over by judges at the Southern District Court under Case ID: 7:25-cv-00541.
Source: 725cv00541_Normalinda_Contreras_v_City_of_Mcallen_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
