Cab driver suspended after allegedly forcing same-sex couple out on Freeway

[ErikJ]

Broadway Cab driver suspended after allegedly forcing same-sex couple out on I-84

7/29/2013 Oregonian

Shanako M. Devoll and her partner Kate Neal say a Broadway Cab driver ditched them on the side of a Portland freeway around midnight Thursday because of their sexual orientation.
Devoll said she was showing affection to Neal when the cab driver started making inappropriate comments.

"I was holding her hand and we kissed a couple of times in the back seat, minding our own business,'' Devoll said. "He made homophobic remarks that were very hurtful to us. We did not want to be in his cab.''

But the couple asked to be let off at a safe spot, Devoll said.

"This was an unsafe situation. We told him 'we can't get out on the freeway. We're not getting out on the freeway,' '' she recalled. "If people are working in customer service they need to be able to accept people for who they are.''

Neal said the driver was yelling homophobic remarks at them, and they offered to pay the fare of just under $40 if he'd just let them out at a safe spot, off an exit ramp of the freeway. But Neal said he refused.

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http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/07/broadway_cab_driver_suspended.html#incart_most-comments

[RKP5637]

1. Should be fired and lose his license ... and possible charges of

endangerment ...

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

2. +1 n/t

[jeffrey_pdx]

3. He's been suspended

The company he works for suspended him while they investigate. And the city suspended his taxi permit while they investigate. He faces possible criminal charges.

[NutmegYankee]

4. And as hard as I can be on police, I liked the actions of the officer

"The officer, according to Devoll and Neal, called the cab company and arranged for them not to have to pay the cab fare, and then drove the couple and their friend home.

It was East Precinct Officer Timothy Mast, a 14-year bureau veteran, police said."

What a great guy!

[RKP5637]

5. +1, n/t

[B Calm]

6. Stupid cab driver. He''ll end up in court over this and

I hope he gets a big fine. Lot of bad accidents are caused by people parked in the emergency lane (shoulder) on interstates.