Taxi drivers rally in Queens after passengers accused of beating driver Kutin Gyimah to death
NEW YORK -- There was a rally in Queens on Sunday after a taxi cab driver was beaten to death by passengers who, according to police, refused to pay their fare and tried to rob him.
That driver is being remembered as a loving husband and father just trying to support his family, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.
"I don't know what to do right now. I have lost. I have lost," Abigail Barwuah said.
The widow of Kutin Gyimah could not hold back her tears while talking about her beloved husband, who was killed in Far Rockaway.
"He was a good, good man. He was my backbone. I'm lost right now. My children's hero," Barwuah said.
The yellow cab driver, who was described as a hardworking family man, leaves behind four kids, ages 3 to 8.
The Ghanian community is coming together to comfort Gyimah's wife and family. Gyimah was a devout Christian.
"She's so young to face this with four children. So bad," said Hanna Mensah, another family friend.
Police said his five passengers tried to rob him when he dropped them off at Beach 54th Street and Arverne Boulevard on Saturday at around 6:30 a.m.
Investigators said Gyimah took off after them and witnesses saw the passengers -- three males and two females -- assault him.
Police said he fell to the ground and hit his head.
"That's awful. That's just awful," said Katherine Wood, of Co-Op City.
"Why do you have to attack someone for no reason? How much really is that money? You took somebody's life. Come on," said Joe Tompo, a family friend.
On Sunday morning, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers stood with his wife and children and offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
"We know the pain and suffering is only starting for this family, and we're asking for justice," the federation's Fernando Mateo said. "I'm pissed off. I'm angry and I'm angry because this could've all been avoided. We need to look around and say what city are we living in?"
Spyros Drakos, of Big Apple Taxi Fleet Management, said Gyimah worked tirelessly, especially through the pandemic.
"This gentleman drove his cab. He never stopped taking passengers. This, to me, is a hero like a first responder," Drakos said.
"A loving, loving and caring gentleman. Hard-working, takes care of the family. Yeah, we've really lost a dedicated father," added Rev. Dr. Samuel Arhin of Ghana United Methodist Church.
Big Apple Taxi Fleet will be covering all funeral expenses.
