younggiftedandblack
08-25-2004, 12:06 AM
(Aug. 23) -- A valley cab driver is in critical condition Monday night, after being set on fire. Police have arrested 33-year-old James Scholl and he's facing several charges, including attempted murder. Witnesses at the scene put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.
Police arrested Scholl at a downtown motel where he was allegedly bragging about the incident. The driver, Pairoj Chitparsart, has burns over 70-percent of his body.
That incident highlights the dangers cab drivers face and it has some calling for more security for drivers. Cab drivers deal with the threat of violence every time they pick up a customer. Most use their own judgment and methods to identify problems before they happen.
One cab driver Eyewitness News talked with says he only picks up at designated taxi stands. In the cab he makes sure customers sit on the passenger side behind him. That way he can keep an eye on them. He also looks for the level of intoxication. The more drunk someone is the more problems arise inside the cab.
The measures he takes are not foolproof. Incidents always happen. When something like the latest attack affects one driver -- all of them feel it. Bryan Cardwell drives for Lucky Cab Company. "He's not just a cab driver. He's a person. He's got a wife and kids and they are suffering right now."
Cardwell also says he would like to see cameras in the cabs. It won't prevent crime, but may deter it if a customer knows he or she is on video.
The president of the local professional drivers' association says a lot of the crimes against cab drivers is not reported. He says the cameras can document everything that happens in the cab.
(Aug. 24) -- A local cab drive set on fire on Friday has died from his injuries. Pairoj Chitprasart had third degree burns to over 70-percent of his body. He died overnight at University Medical Center.
His attacker, 33- year old James Scholl, appeared in court Tuesday morning on charges he committed the crime. He was arrested at a downtown motel where police say he was bragging about setting Chitprasart on fire.
Scholl will be back in court Wednesday where he could be charged with murder.
http://klas.static.worldnow.com/images/2209824_BG1.jpg
Pairoj Chitprasart
http://klas.static.worldnow.com/images/2209824_BG2.jpg
33-year-old James Scholl in court Tuesday
Link (http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2209824&nav=168XQ9ga)
Police arrested Scholl at a downtown motel where he was allegedly bragging about the incident. The driver, Pairoj Chitparsart, has burns over 70-percent of his body.
That incident highlights the dangers cab drivers face and it has some calling for more security for drivers. Cab drivers deal with the threat of violence every time they pick up a customer. Most use their own judgment and methods to identify problems before they happen.
One cab driver Eyewitness News talked with says he only picks up at designated taxi stands. In the cab he makes sure customers sit on the passenger side behind him. That way he can keep an eye on them. He also looks for the level of intoxication. The more drunk someone is the more problems arise inside the cab.
The measures he takes are not foolproof. Incidents always happen. When something like the latest attack affects one driver -- all of them feel it. Bryan Cardwell drives for Lucky Cab Company. "He's not just a cab driver. He's a person. He's got a wife and kids and they are suffering right now."
Cardwell also says he would like to see cameras in the cabs. It won't prevent crime, but may deter it if a customer knows he or she is on video.
The president of the local professional drivers' association says a lot of the crimes against cab drivers is not reported. He says the cameras can document everything that happens in the cab.
(Aug. 24) -- A local cab drive set on fire on Friday has died from his injuries. Pairoj Chitprasart had third degree burns to over 70-percent of his body. He died overnight at University Medical Center.
His attacker, 33- year old James Scholl, appeared in court Tuesday morning on charges he committed the crime. He was arrested at a downtown motel where police say he was bragging about setting Chitprasart on fire.
Scholl will be back in court Wednesday where he could be charged with murder.
http://klas.static.worldnow.com/images/2209824_BG1.jpg
Pairoj Chitprasart
http://klas.static.worldnow.com/images/2209824_BG2.jpg
33-year-old James Scholl in court Tuesday
Link (http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2209824&nav=168XQ9ga)