The woman who received a nasty uppercut from an RTA bus driver in Beachwood last month could face criminal charges for her actions, the RTA announced today.

Shidea Lane, 25, reportedly boarded an RTA #5 bus Sept. 18 without paying. A dispute began — which was recorded on a cell phone and later became a viral video — that ended in the notorious uppercut delivered by the angry bus driver.

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The RTA filed charges with the City of Beachwood today, and the police department said that the city prosecutor is working on the case this afternoon.

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The driver, 22-year RTA veteran Artis Hughes, told Transit Police that Lane choked him and spit on his face while he was driving. Though Beachwood and Transit Police responded to the altercation, neither party filed charges on the day of the incident.

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Hughes has been on an unpaid suspension since the video surfaced on the Web last week.

"Misconduct on public transportation is a crime," an RTA spokesperson wrote in a statement this afternoon. "We are working with our unions to strengthen rules to protect employees and our customers against misconduct, as well as to increase penalties. 

WATCH | Cleveland RTA Bus Driver Hits Female Passenger: Video Taken in Beachwood

READ | Cleveland RTA Uppercut Driver: Woman Choked Me, Spit on Me

READ | Names, More Info Released

LOOK | Driver and Witness' Full Statements to Police

POLL | Do you think the driver deserves more punishment?

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