A Metrobus driver is in trouble for getting pushy—literally.

Video of a hulky driver shoving a not-so-hulky, maybe even scrawny, rider off a bus surfaced over the holiday weekend, and has WMATA hunting the offending employee. They weren't able to immediately identify the driver from the video, but Metro spokesperson Dan Stessel told NBC Washington that ramming a customer off a bus "is completely inappropriate."

Though there's no indication of how the conflict got started, the video captures the driver opening the doors of the bus and the passenger proclaiming, "I ain't done nothing to nobody, man." The driver thinks different: "Go ahead and get off the bus, now," he orders.

They argue for a few moments before the driver decides to go all linebacker. The rider resists being pushed off by grabbing onto a pole, but that only inspires the driver to bulldoze harder, eventually flinging the rider from the vehicle and into the street in an awkward and painful-looking flop.

Stessel told NBC4 the driver should have called transit police instead of acting like a club bouncer, but in my experience, there's also another option. As a daily Metrobus rider, I've seen passengers who've earned the ire of a driver and a command to "get off" refuse to go. But that's when the driver has defused the situation by pulling over and saying something like, "I can't move this bus until you get off." At that point, everyone stares daggers at the problematic rider, who eventually succumbs to social pressure. Deescalating conflicts would seem to be an important skill for a D.C. bus operator to have handy, since Metrobus drivers were assaulted 90 times last year.

Multiple calls to Metro for an update on their manhunt went unanswered.

The Metro system, once a reliable point of pride for D.C.'s boosters, has had a rough few years: Safety problems, escalator outages, and rising prices have made the subway a regular subject of local griping. At times, it can be hard to keep up with the torrent of unflattering Metro-related scoops. As a public service,

This week:

-People continue to criticize Metro's idea of cutting late-night service on weekends (sometimes with charming graphs!)

-A former WMATA chairman (and current board member) says he’s stepping down

-House Republicans just killed a bill which would have restored $150 million to WMATA’s coffers for safety measures.

-This video, posted on the blog Unsuck DC Metro, shows two guys fighting on the Orange Line train.

-A report released by Mayor Vince Gray’s office this week accuses D.C.'s transportation department of having skimmed money off the funds the city is supposed to provide to Metro. The money allegedly paid for things like the Circulator bus instead.

-The report also said the city's streetcar plan—not part of Metro, but feeding the system—had fouled up in a variety of ways, including purchasing three streetcars it won't be able to use because they don't meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Looking for a silver lining, City Desk called WMATA today, seeing if there was any chance Metrorail trains could ever get free wi-fi, like the kind Amtrak’s planning to extend to all its trains later this year. In response, Metro sent along a press release announcing cell phone service was being extended to Metro’s 20 busiest stations.

The press release was dated 2009. Though, to be fair, people were  very  happy about the change when it happened.

Illustration by Brooke Hatfield

I unfortunately had the awful experience of being hit by a car on my commute home this evening. The details are as follows: Around 5:50 PM I was riding along First St. NW with other commuters. We crossed over Florida Ave and a car came in behind me, horn continuously on, and accelerated into my rear wheel knocking me to the ground. The driver then got out of the car and yelled some obscenity at me. He got back into his car and left the scene.

I ended up with a few bruises and bumps but luckily no serious injury, but my rear wheel was destroyed along with my saddle, still not sure about the frame. Although there were seven plus witnesses, we were only able to get a partial license plate. We did get a great description of the car. The police arrived on the scene and took all the witness statements, etc and the incident will be filed as a hit and run.

The police filed their own narrative of events in D.C. Superior Court. It does not portray Lewis as a victim of circumstances, an innocent swept up by events. It portrays Lewis as armed, dangerous, drunk, and sneaky.

Just after 2 a.m., officers received a call for disorderly conduct—the snowball fight—in progress along 11th Street outside Wonderland. An officer, possibly Pittmon's partner, writes of the event in court papers:

"Upon arrive to the scene I, along with [Pittmon] were struck repeatedly with snow and ice filled missile's while still seated inside of a marked police vehicle by multiple assailants."

After exiting their cruiser, Lewis struck Pittmon "in the chest with a snow and ice filled missile with intent and audacity, and in apparent drunk and disorderly state."

The officer goes on to state that Lewis "then attempted to elude the police by hiding in the crowd and swiftly walking northbound on 11th St. I pursued [Lewis] on foot and as I attempted to apprehend and place [Lewis] under arrest, [Lewis] repeatedly resisted arrest."

Lewis was eventually handcuffed, placed under arrest, and transported to the Third District. She then gave her name and date of birth. She refused to tell the police her social security number. She was then transferred to Central Cellblock for processing.

The next hearing in the case is in early March.

Much has been written on this blog—and others—as to whether victims of muggings/thefts/assault should try to fight back against their assailants. This craigslist missed connection, for one, gives a pretty awesome account of fighting back:

to the perv who groped me on my way home – w4m – 30 (Mt. Pleasant)

Me: caucasian, white yoga capris and tan tank top
you: Latino, 5'8, in your twenties, sports jersey, short hair, mole on your face.

You might have been following me for a while, Mr. Perv, I don't know – I was on the phone with my mother, venting about my roommate situation (we had to find a new one) and my job search (like, I need a job), when you snuck up behind me, and gently squeezed my ass. Not just the top of my ass, but kinda low, kinda close to my you-know-what, if you know what I mean.

You know, even my boyfriend needs permission to get that close, so having a perfect stranger attempt access so suddenly, so completely out of the blue, triggered my fight-or-flight response. And I *fight*. Did it hurt when I grabbed your collar and punched you in the head? I'm a little worried that I didn't get enough momentum in my swing to make you feel it, seeing as I'm kinda short (5'2"). But you must have felt bad when you took off running and I chased you down so easily – it's not that you're slow, dude, it's just that I run fast, as you might have suspected from the well-muscled form of my posterior, had you been viewing it with its athletic potential in mind.

It was all worth it when you realized you couldn't outrun me and so you stopped with your back to me in shame, and I kicked you in your hole. You might not remember, but I said: "Are you sorry? Are you sorry? Say you're sorry!", and you did. That was great. Then I said: "run on home, you asshole! Run home!" and you did that, too!

Ladies, these pervs are cowards who run in fear when confronted with any kind of resistance. They are weak and pathetic.

To the two guys who came out of their houses when they heard me yelling – thank you for being so aware and willing to help out-especially – Chris, was it? – who walked me home. It's great to know the people here care about the safety of others. Thanks so much.

My mom was really worried, because she heard me start swearing and then the phone went dead (I closed it so I could chase the motherf*cker down) and she thought I had been hit by a car. When I told her what happened, she told me not to be so agro, and pointed out that he could of had a knife or something. True. You're right, mom.

But you're unlucky if you're from this neighborhood, Mr. Perv. Cause I'm here ALL THE TIME (no job, remember?) and next time I'll MACE YOUR FACE.