Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cabbie Allegedly Whipped Passenger With Belt After She Couldn't Pay Fare
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 1, 2016
Modified Sep 1, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 1, 2016
Modified Sep 1, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A cab driver has been accused of whipping a passenger with a belt in Brooklyn after the passenger claimed she couldn't pay her fare.
Police say the incident happened around 1:20 a.m. on Aug. 23rd near the intersection of Johnson Avenue and White Street in East Williamsburg. The 21-year-old passenger, whose name has not been released, had gotten into the taxi in Midtown, but told the driver she didn't have enough money to pay the fare when she reached her destination.
According to DNAInfo, the woman told police that when she tried to exit the car the driver leapt out and started hitting her with his belt. Witness Ramiro Sandoval said he heard the woman yelling: "This woman was screaming her gut out. It was terrifying," he said. "I see a guy just holding a woman by her hair, whipping the hell out of her."
Sandoval called 911 while another passerby approached the driver, who allegedly left the woman sobbing in the street and fled the scene. She was taken to a local hospital for welts.
Cops say no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Tagged
brooklyn
cab
cabbie
east williamsburg
taxi
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .