A road rage incident occurred Tuesday morning in Brooklyn when an irate driver punched and choked an elderly MTA bus driver, according to police and transit officials.
Officials and officials say Shevaughn Regal, 25, struck the 68-year-old after a two-vehicle fender bender on Halsey Street near Lewis Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant around 9:20 a.m. He lunged at the B26 driver.
According to NYPD and the MTA, Regal began an argument with the bus driver, then punched him and wrapped his hands around his neck, causing injuries to his jaw and neck.
Regal was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree assault, strangulation and obstruction of breathing, police said.
New York City police could not confirm whether the attack occurred on or off the bus, but New York City Transit Authority President Demetrius Crichlow said in a statement that the suspect jumped over a barrier.
“The maniac who climbed over the fence, violently beat and strangled a bus driver who was transporting New Yorkers around Brooklyn showed a total disregard for humanity, decency, and the safety of the passengers on his bus.” Crichlow said. “Is that absurd level of violent disrespect for public servants a joke?”
“We are grateful to the NYPD officers who responded to the scene to arrest this man. It is now up to the justice system to decide whether he spends his Thanksgiving behind bars. .”
According to police, Regal has no prior arrest record.
His arraignment was pending Wednesday afternoon.
