Wakefield Teen Charged With Spitting At, Punching MBTA Bus Driver

BOSTON (CBS) - A 10-year veteran of the MBTA says he was spit at and punched by a teenager who demanded a ride on the bus even though the teen didn't have money to pay.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday, Transit Police went to the Oak Grove Station and found the 58-year-old bus driver bleeding heavily from the nose.

Police say 19-year-old Ryan O'Donnell of Wakefield boarded the bus and swiped his Charlie Card on the fare box. When the bus driver told O'Donnell his card didn't have enough money on it to cover the fare, O'Donnell allegedly became belligerent and demanded he ride for free.

The driver told O'Donnell to leave the bus.

Police say as O'Donnell exited, he spit at the driver and punched him multiple times in the face.

O'Donnell was arrested and charged with assault and assault and battery causing injury. He is expected to be arraigned in Malden District Court Tuesday.

The driver was taken to the hospital with facial injuries.