Camden Cab Driver Stabbed Multiple Times By Passenger
By Jan Carabeo and Greg Argos
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) – Authorities say a cab driver was stabbed outside of an apartment complex in Camden, New Jersey overnight.
Family and friends have identified the victim as Juan Fortuna, a driver for Five Star Cabs who is now recovering at the hospital.
"Honestly, he's doing really well at the moment. He's hanging in there," said Brandon Ramos, a friend of the family.
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Fortuna was found just after midnight at Front and State Streets. He was dropping off the suspect at an apartment complex in North Camden.
"When he got the location and the fare, he then asked to go to a remote location," said Chief Scott Thomson of the Camden County Police Department.
When Fortuna refused, officials say he was then attacked.
"He looked in the rear view mirror and the guy said well what are you looking at? And he liked red flagged immediately."
Police say the suspect stabbed the cab driver about four to five times in the upper shoulder area.
"It was the upper right shoulder. No vital organs."
Following the stabbing, authorities say Fortuna purposely crashed his can into a parked car in the lot.
"I think it was kind of a reaction to him being attacked, and I'm quite certain it was a defensive move," said Chief Thomson.
An ambulance was called to the location, but when medics arrived the victim had already been taken to the hospital.
His company says the taxi was in service and the driver was on duty at the time of the assault.
Police are still working to track down the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
