Cab Companies Respond to Driver Assault

Duluth Taxi Driver Mugged, Companies Enforce Safety

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According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), taxi drivers are 20 times more likely to be hurt on the job.  

What happened to cab driver, Pat Lewton, isn’t that uncommon.  But, his story is one that brings cab safety to the forefront. 

Lewton picked up a customer who almost cost him his life.

“He started to reach in his pocket and that’s when I grabbed him and threw him against the cab and he took a swing at me,” Lewton said. 

That swing came after the passenger had asked him for his money. 

“We tumbled into the front seat in the drivers side of the cab and worked our way across to the passenger seat and fell out of the passenger onto the curb.”

By the time police arrived, the suspect had already disappeared. 

“The only thing he got from me was a few bruises.”

Red flags were sent up early. 

“The house across the street from us is a street we’ve had troubles with in the past.”

The recent robbing hit home for Custom Cabs in Duluth. 

“The couple of times that it has happened has been at night in bad areas,” said Book Keeper, Ashley Oheroan.

3 years ago another driver from Custom Cab was held at gunpoint for the same demand. 

They are not taking action to make sure their cabbies are safe. 

“Implementing cameras in all of our cars to help prevent some of that as well,” said Oheroan. 

But, this brush with death isn’t stopping Lewton from what he does best. 

“Fear doesn’t enter into it because I love what I do.”

Advice from the Duluth Police Department includes to keep money out of sight, be alert and be cautious of passengers who give vague directions.