C-T transit says the elderly passenger, William Horn, refused to get off the bus at the last stop.
Horn then allegedly hit the 19-year- veteran driver Stefan Knox in the head with a metal pipe. Knox struggled to get free of his seat belt while punching back. Then, as he bolts off the bus, the 65-year-old hops in the driver seat in an apparent effort to drive the bus away.
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Horn is well-known to local cops and was arrested on third-degree assault and breach of peace.
Meanwhile, the bus driver was fired after video from outside the bus shows him performing a WWE-style drop kick on the other man.
The bus driver’s union blasted his firing.
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"In our view, Stefan not only protected himself by subduing the assailant a second time, but he also protected his co-workers,” saidRalph Buccitti with the Almagamated Transit Union.
C-T transit responded: “The dangerous assault on the bus operator was absolutely unacceptable. The driver understandably and rightfully defended and protected himself. Unfortunately, after the incident, the operator chose to return and physically re-engage his assailant without provocation. Physically engaging the assailant the second time was inappropriate and dangerous.”