Contact: Neville Waters (202) 645-6020
The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) has indefinitely suspended the privilege of operating a taxicab for two more drivers: Sharanjit Singh and Ephream Esheterom. The two men were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Friday, May 10, 2013 and charged with simple assault stemming from an altercation with a third person at a gas station. Although Singh and Esheterom were not driving at the time of the incident, they were both on duty.
The Notices of Suspension were issued to both drivers today, May 17, 2013. The basis for the suspensions is that while on duty as operators of public vehicles for hire licensed by DCTC, both drivers engaged in inappropriate behavior that resulted in their arrests by MPD.
The incident occurred around 9 pm and escalated from a verbal altercation to a physical confrontation that was witnessed by another individual. The disagreement began when Singh and Esheterom had their vehicles blocking a gas pump and refused to move. The victim used his cell phone to record the drivers which led to their pushing and shoving the victim and grabbing his cell phone. A police officer responded and the victim was treated by an ambulance summoned to the scene.
The suspension of these drivers marks the fourth and fifth drivers to lose their privileges to drive DC taxis since January 2013. Kefyalew B. Teshome had his license to drive taxis suspended on January 28, 2013, after being criminally convicted of assaulting a passenger. His immediate suspension will remain in effect indefinitely. Abdel Hakim Rhany had his license to drive taxis suspended on May 6, 2013 after his arrest for assault on a hack inspector. Tesfai Mesghina lost his privilege to drive a taxi on May, 14, 2013 after being arrested for driving on an expired license and operating a taxi without possession of a valid face ID. All of these drivers also failed to notify the Commission of their arrests within five days as required by DCTC regulations.
“The behavior of these drivers is intolerable,” said Commission Chairman Ron M. Linton. “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.” All drivers have the opportunity to challenge immediate suspensions at the Office of Administrative Hearings.