Charges Filed Against Cleveland Bus Driver & Uppercut Passenger

In yet another twist in the Cleveland bus driver uppercut case, today prosecutors filed misdemeanor criminal charges against both the driver and female passenger who fought last month on a Cleveland bus.

Driver Artis Hughes, 59, was charged with assault, while passenger Shi’dea Lane, 25, was hit with a disorderly conduct rap.

As reported by the Smoking Gun:

The criminal cases, filed in Shaker Heights Municipal Court, were lodged one week after video of the September 18 bus incident began circulating online.

On the day of the fight witnesses told cops that Lane appeared “drunk” and became verbally abusive to Hughes after she failed to immediately pay her fare.

Hughes told investigators that he “protected myself” after Lane “grabbed me in the throat and spit on me in the face.”

Hughes remains suspended without pay from his RTA job, and faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $1000 fine if convicted of the assault count. As for Lane, a lesser charge carries a maximum of 30 days in custody and a $250 fine.