Bus Driver Allegedly Assaults Man Who Threw Snowball At Him

BOSTON (CBS) -- An MBTA bus driver has been arrested and suspended from his job after allegedly assaulting a man who threw a snowball at him.

Derek Smith, 40, is charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. He was on duty during the Tuesday night incident in Lynn's Central Square, but an MBTA spokesman did not specify if Smith was driving the bus at the time.

The Route 455 bus operator has worked for the MBTA for four years. He told police that he assaulted a man who threw a snowball at him, according to the MBTA.

The snowball thrower was never on Smith's bus, the MBTA said.

A witness told police that Smith punched and kicked a 43-year-old Revere man. That man is being treated for a head injury at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Smith will be arraigned in Lynn District Court.