Troy Fischer

(AP) — A Nebraska bus driver who was fired after being caught on video punching a rider has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

Online court records show that 43-year-old Troy Fischer of Lincoln changed his plea Thursday. His attorney says Fischer will seek probation at his sentencing scheduled for Sept. 18. The charge carries a possible jail term of one year.

A surveillance video showed Fischer repeatedly punching passenger Torrance Rose on March 23. Fischer also is shown dragging Rose off the bus and leaving him on the roadway.

Fischer said he had told Rose he was on the wrong bus but that Rose didn’t seem to understand. Fischer said he’d felt threatened by Rose and pressed an emergency button on the bus seeking help before the confrontation.