A Brooklyn bus driver was pummeled and doused with lighter fluid by an demented passenger over the weekend.
The on-duty MTA driver announced that the southbound B44 bus would be going out of service around 6 p.m. Saturday at Nostrand Avenue and Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, police said.
After pulling over and telling all the passengers to get off the bus, the driver noticed one man who was still on board, according to authorities.
When he approached the rider to offer assistance, the unhinged man punched him multiple times and poured a bottle of lighter fluid on him, cops said.
The suspect then got off the bus and fled, police said.
The NYPD released an image Monday night of him wearing a denim jacket over a checkered shirt, with jean shorts and yellow sneakers.
He can be seen carrying the bottle of lighter fluid.
The driver was taken to the Kings County Hospital Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
MTA Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro condemned the assault in a statement Tuesday morning.
“Targeting a bus operator with violence is beyond outrageous because attacks on public servants are attacks on all of us,” Annicaro said. “When the NYPD catches this unhinged criminal—and they will—prosecutors should ensure he faces maximum consequences under the law.”