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Cleveland bus driver suspended for punching teenage passenger Cleveland bus driver suspended for punching teenage passenger
(about 1 hour later)
A Cleveland bus driver who delivered a vicious uppercut to a female passenger during a video-taped confrontation has been suspended and removed from duty, the city's transport authority said Friday.A Cleveland bus driver who delivered a vicious uppercut to a female passenger during a video-taped confrontation has been suspended and removed from duty, the city's transport authority said Friday.
In a clip posted online, the unidentified woman – thought to be a teenager – is seen berating the driver before being floored by the man with a single punch and violently bustled off the bus.In a clip posted online, the unidentified woman – thought to be a teenager – is seen berating the driver before being floored by the man with a single punch and violently bustled off the bus.
"I don't care. She want to be a man, I'm going to treat you like a man," the driver is heard shouting, as other passengers protest against her treatment."I don't care. She want to be a man, I'm going to treat you like a man," the driver is heard shouting, as other passengers protest against her treatment.
The altercation was recorded by another passenger, and is now part of an investigation into the incident.The altercation was recorded by another passenger, and is now part of an investigation into the incident.
The initial cause of the confrontation is not apparent during the clip posted on WorldStarHipHop.com.The initial cause of the confrontation is not apparent during the clip posted on WorldStarHipHop.com.
What is captured is the lead-up to the punch, during which the female passenger is heard calling the driver a "nigger" and a "bitch" during an exchange of insults between the two.What is captured is the lead-up to the punch, during which the female passenger is heard calling the driver a "nigger" and a "bitch" during an exchange of insults between the two.
She then appears to approach the driver's booth, but the image is obscured by a bystander and it is unclear what exactly happens. It is immediately followed by the driver getting to his feat and punching the passenger with a powerful uppercut. She then appears to approach the driver's booth, but the image is obscured by a bystander and it is unclear what exactly happens. It is immediately followed by the driver getting to his feet and punching the passenger with a powerful uppercut.
In the struggle, it appears that the city employee has his hands around her neck before bundling the woman off the bus. Amid screams from other passengers, a voice – presumably the female passenger who has been struck – is heard shouting: "You going to jail, bitch".In the struggle, it appears that the city employee has his hands around her neck before bundling the woman off the bus. Amid screams from other passengers, a voice – presumably the female passenger who has been struck – is heard shouting: "You going to jail, bitch".
In a statement, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority said: "The RTA saw the video posted on YouTube of the operator incident on October 11. Through the investigation, we believe the incident occurred on September 18. Upon identifying the driver, he was immediately suspended and removed from duty.In a statement, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority said: "The RTA saw the video posted on YouTube of the operator incident on October 11. Through the investigation, we believe the incident occurred on September 18. Upon identifying the driver, he was immediately suspended and removed from duty.
"His behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. The RTA apologises to our customers for this incident. A full investigation continues.""His behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. The RTA apologises to our customers for this incident. A full investigation continues."