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RYE, N.Y. - A Mount Vernon taxi driver was arrested in Rye on Friday morning after he hopped the sidewalk and struck a tree in his cab before stabbing his passenger in what police described as a “very chaotic scene.”
On Friday, Rye Police Commissioner Michael C. Corcoran announced that the department has arrested Mount Vernon resident Frankie Phelps, 61, for his role in the altercation that left his 28-year-old victim with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials confirmed that approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday morning, a cab from Reliable Taxi in Mount Vernon crashed into a tree near the intersection of Highland Road and Purchase Street outside of The Highlands apartment complex in Rye. Upon arrival at the scene, "officers observed two men struggling on the ground by the driver's side door of the taxi."
Phelps was then involved in an incident with his passenger that turned physical. According to police, Phelps’ victim suffered at least six stab wounds to his chest, with additional cuts to his back and left arm. He was treated at the Westchester Medical Center for non-life threatening wounds, according to Corcoran.
According to Corcoran, the investigation revealed that the victim hailed a taxi in Mount Vernon with the destination of Rye. While en-route, a verbal dispute took place over the direction of travel and Phelps allegedly attacked from the front seat.
Phelps was charged with a felony count of first-degree assault. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond bail. Additional charges may be filed against Phelps as the investigation into the incident continues.
Staff members at Reliable Taxi declined to comment on Friday. Keep following Daily Voice for more details about Friday morning’s crash as they become available.
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