LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The taxi driver who was attacked by a mob of Lakers fans following the NBA championship win received a hefty donation Monday. Unruly fans set his cab on fire, leaving him with no source of income.
The violence that erupted after Game 7 included assaults on police officers and plenty of property damage.
Some of the most dramatic images came from the corner of Seventh and Flower streets in downtown L.A., where that taxi cab was set on fire.
Monday, the man behind the wheel got a helping hand from the company that hosted the big game.
Standing before television cameras and reporters, Abraham Teferi seemed a reluctant participant in a ceremony aimed at making amends.
Taxi driver Abraham Teferi
The 41-year-old immigrant from Ethiopia has been driving a cab in L.A. for seven years, but on Thursday, the occupational hazards got wildly out of hand.
“I was thinking they can kill me, that’s what I was thinking. I was scared. They burned the car, they shake the car, they turned over me,” described Teferi.
Teferi was caught in the mayhem that erupted shortly after the Lakers won the NBA Championship. A mob attacked his cab, then pulled him from the driver’s seat. After a few minutes, the cab was set on fire, and Teferi watched as it burned. His livelihood was destroyed.
Monday, the CEO of Staples Center’s owner Tim Leiweke presented Teferi with a $10,000 check.
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6 comments
loool the guy is funny how he talks.
Good for him. He is one lucky cabbie.
They are haters. However, he get the maney! Lol
only 10k? mtss
hahahaha yehone miskin abesha neger new. I am happy nervous you know lol
He could get more than that mogn neger newe abo 10.000 not enough