Cab driver arrested after kicking gay couple out of his car
A cab driver in Chicago has been arrested after angrily throwing a gay couple out of his car for kissing.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Mahdi Hared accepted the fare from 26-year-old Shadi Ramini, and 23-year-old Seth Day, but became angry when the couple, who were on their first date, shared a kiss.
The couple booked the cab through the Uber app, but was provided by Blue Ribbon Taxi.
After pulling over on a busy highway and ordering the pair to get out into the street, Hared punched the front seat, said Ramini, who said he got out and jumped behind a barrier, but that Day was left tumbling out of the car as the driver pulled away.
The police were first alerted to the situation by Hared who claimed that the couple attacked him. They face no charges currently.
Day reported the incident to the police
Hared was later arrested after Day reported the incident to the police, showing them his bruises.
The driver now faces charges of aggravated assault and battery.
Hared is now no longer associated with cab company Uber.
“No rider should ever have to go through an experience like this,” the car sharing company said in a statement to the Tribune.
“Not only is this Chicago taxi driver’s behavior unacceptable, it’s in clear violation of Illinois’ non-discrimination law and Uber’s zero-tolerance discrimination policy as outlined in our code of conduct.”
The couple have since been on a second date.
