Two taxicab drivers have had their licenses suspended indefinitely after they were arrested and charged with simple assault following an altercation earlier this month.
Sharanjit Singh and Ephream Esheterom received notice from the DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) that their licences had been suspended Friday. The two men are facing simple assault charges after an altercation with a third person at a gas station on the night of May 10. Both men were on duty at the time.
Investigators say that the incident happened at around 9 p.m. and occurred because Singh and Esheterom refused to move their vehicles, which were blocking a gas pump. The third man, who was trying to use the pumps, began recording the drivers on his cell phone. Police say the men began pushing and shoving the victim before grabbing his phone.
“The behavior of these drivers is intolerable,” Commission Chairman Ron M. Linton said in a statement. “The Commission intends to use its statutory authority to suspend and possibly revoke the licenses of drivers who engage in behavior that threatens the safety of passengers in DC taxis or the public at large.”
With the latest suspensions, five D.C. cab drivers have lost their licences since New Year's Day. Four of the suspensions have occurred this month. Abdel Hakim Rhany had his license suspended May 6 after he was arrested for assaulting a Hack Inspector. Tesfai Mesghina lost his privilege after being arrested for driving on an expired license and operating a taxi without a valid picture ID. In January, a cabbie named Kefyalew Teshome had his license suspended indefinitely after he was criminally convicted of assaulting a passenger.