The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a lower court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Central Contra Costa Transit Authority in an employment discrimination case brought by a former bus operator who was terminated after a collision with a bicyclist.

In an unpublished memorandum decision filed Jan. 13, 2026, a three-judge panel unanimously concluded that plaintiff Shannon Cross failed to establish her claims for religious discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment under federal and state employment laws.

Cross had worked as a bus operator for Central Contra Costa Transit Authority for less than a year when she collided with a bicyclist while operating a CCCTA bus. According to the court opinion, an investigation into the incident revealed that Cross was "completely at fault for the collision" and had also "repeatedly violated multiple CCCTA policies and California Vehicle Code violations."

Following the investigation's findings, CCCTA terminated Cross's employment. Cross subsequently filed suit against her former employer, alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. Her claims included religious discrimination, retaliation, and creation of a hostile work environment.

The district court granted summary judgment in favor of CCCTA, finding that Cross had failed to present sufficient evidence to support her claims. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit affirmed this ruling, concluding that Cross could not establish the necessary elements for any of her discrimination claims under the applicable legal standards.