PATH Conductor from Piscataway Punches Rider, Police Say

BY ERIC KIEFER

Authorities arrested a PATH train conductor Friday for allegedly assaulting a passenger after an argument on board the train got out of hand.

According to the Port Authority of NY/NJ, the incident took place aboard a WTC to Newark Exchange Place PATH train.

A Port Authority spokesman said that the train’s conductor - Brian Fortney, 51, of Piscataway – reported a disorderly passenger in the head car around 4 a.m. When the train pulled into Grove Street at about 4:13 a.m. Port Authority police found a 27-year-old Jersey City man with a laceration above his right eye.

Emergency responders transported the man to Jersey City Medical Center, where he received five stitches, authorities stated. After conducting interviews with the involved parties and witnesses, police determined that Fortney allegedly assaulted the victim and arrested him.

Authorities charged Fortney with aggravated assault.