Hate crime filed in taxi driver attack ('Iraqi terrorist')

[Newsjock]

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A Kent man accused of attacking a taxi driver and calling him an "Iraqi terrorist" was charged Tuesday with third-degree assault and malicious harassment, a hate crime.

Luis Arturo Vazquez, 20, could face six months to a year in jail for the alleged attack, which left cabbie Sukhvir Singh with a concussion, cuts on his face, bite marks on his scalp and other injuries.

Vazquez was drunk and had been kicked out of the Apple Cup football game at Husky Stadium when officers spotted Singh's cab and asked him to give the man a ride home, according to court documents.

Vazquez is accused of attacking Singh as they headed south on Interstate 5, prompting Singh to pull over in the carpool lane. Police say Vazquez punched and bit Singh, pulling out tufts of his hair as he threatened him and called him a terrorist.

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/341344_hatebrief28.html

[provis99]

1. A Hispanic attacks a Sikh, calling him an Iraqi?

What a confusing world.

[McCamy Taylor]

2. How did a 20 year old get drunk at a foot ball game? Who sold him the liquor?

[laconicsax]

4. College football

While in college, I was in the band and had to had to go to every damn home game. Every game I was at had students drinking from concealed or not-so concealed containers.

[DCKit]

3. Six months to a year? Are they kidding????

Well, here's hoping the prison's Muslim population teach him some tolerance while he's under their supervision.

[Tempest]

5. The cabbie should sue the cops

The guy was drunk and kicked out of the stadium. Which means he was drunk and disorderly, a criminal charge.

The guy was underage, which is also a criminal charge.

The cops should have arrested him and not sent him home in a taxi.

The city would have no choice but to settle with him.