Metro bus driver arrested

[This post has been updated]

A Metro bus driver was arrested and charged with simple assault on Friday after he got into an altercation with a disorderly customer over the bus fare.

Metro Transit Police charged Vento Mickens with simple assault after he clashed with the customer at about 5:30 p.m. near Georgia Avenue and Van Buren Street NW, inflicting minor injuries.

Mickens was driving the 71 route to Buzzard Point when the incident took place.

Mickens, who has been a bus operator since December 1986, is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, Metro spokeswoman Cathy Asato said.

-- Ann Scott Tyson