TLC Driver Could Lose Eye After Cell Phone Attack

45-year-old driver suffered a detached left retina after attack stemming from refusal to give illegal street hail at 3am on August 28th in the East Village. Police asking for help ID'ing attacker

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AutoMarketplace NYC Newsletter is written by Dawood Mian, Founder of AutoMarketplace (launching soon). He covers the NYC for-hire transportation industry and related news.

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(NY Daily News) A Manhattan Uber driver was bashed in the face with a cellphone for refusing an illegal street hail — and now may lose his eye, police said Wednesday.

The 45-year-old driver suffered a detached left retina from the assault, cops said.

Dash cam video from the victim’s Uber released by cops shows the suspect, a bandanna covering the lower part of his face, standing in the middle of E. 14th St. near Third Ave. in the East Village about 3:05 a.m. Aug. 28.

He waved to get the driver’s attention and ran up to the vehicle, which was stopped at a red light.

The Uber driver explained he is not allowed to accept street hails. That’s when the would-be rider went berserk, slamming the driver in the face with a cellphone before running off.

EMS took the victim to New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. He was treated and released but there is a chance his left eye will have to be removed, police said.

By law, only yellow and green medallion cabs are allowed to pick up street hails in New York City.

Cops released the dash cam video Wednesday and asked the public’s help identifying the suspect and tracking him down.

He is described as having a light complexion, average build and short blonde hair and was wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts, black socks and white sandals.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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