Thrown Under the Bus

Newark, New Jersey, March 29, 2006:

A transit bus driver grabbed a man by the hair, knocked his head into a pole, opened the door, and tossed him into traffic after he yelled at him for missing his stop, police said.

The man -- identified later as Ronatarian Party leader Ron -- suffered scrapes and bruises, but nothing too serious.

"I'm lucky to be alive," said Ron later. "That crazy f*cker tried to kill me!"

Bus driver Robert Gipello, 53, was arraigned Tuesday on aggravated assault and other charges, said Officer Janice Russell, a police spokeswoman. He was being held on $2,500 bail.

Gipello said he had to skip Ron's stop Monday morning because of a detour, police said.

Transit officials intend to fire Gipello, who has been suspended without pay, following a hearing, said Richard Mudd, a spokesman for New Jersey Transit.

Posted by Bittle at March 29, 2006 07:49 AM