Bus driver assaulted by passenger surprises attacker by fighting back

A Los Angeles bus driver who was assaulted by a passenger in a fare dispute surprised her attacker by fighting back.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in South L.A., where a woman reportedly boarded a DASH bus and tried to give the driver a dollar. However, because DASH buses offer free service, the driver turned down the money –- and for some reason, that prompted the woman to attack her.

Video of the incident shows the woman pry open the safety door guarding the driver's seat and start pummeling the driver. The two women then end up out on the street, where the passenger continues to throw punches.

However, the driver fights back and breaks free from the passenger. At one point, the driver is struck from behind as she bent over to pick something up. She then gets back on the bus, closes the door on the passenger and drives off.

The attacker, identified by reports as 27-year-old Theresa Avina, was later taken into custody, according to reports. During her arrest, Avina allegedly assaulted an officer with a deadly weapon, though it's not clear what kind of weapon was allegedly used. She remains in custody on a $50,000 bail.

The bus driver was treated at the scene for injuries.

Bus drivers in Los Angeles have increasingly been the subject of violent  attacks and assaults in recent months. Last Friday, about 360 bus drivers called out sick in an organized labor action to make a statement about the unsafe conditions faced by public transit workers.