‘A Cab Driver Stabbed Me In Valletta When I Called Him Out For Dangerous Driving’
Warning: Graphic image below
A Brazilian national, Vinícius Santos de Menezes, claimed he was stabbed by a cab driver following a dispute over reckless driving in the early hours of 1st October.
He told Lovin Malta that he booked the cab through the Bolt app for a trip from Paceville to Valletta at 3:50 am. Vinícius warned that the driver was speeding and making abrupt maneuvers, despite multiple requests to slow down. The driver allegedly refused, stating he had another ride scheduled and couldn’t afford to drive more slowly.
After a series of dangerous driving incidents, including near collisions, Vinícius asked the driver to stop as he felt unsafe, but the driver refused, insisting they were almost at the destination.
Upon arrival at South Street in Valletta around 4:00 am, Vinícius paid the fare in cash and requested his change, while criticising the driver for endangering lives. However, the driver demanded payment again, seemingly disoriented. Vinícius showed him the money he had already paid, but the driver struggled to count the coins properly, giving incorrect change twice.
Deciding to let the driver keep the change, Vinícius made a final remark about the driver’s dangerous behaviour. In response, the driver allegedly retorted, “Welcome to Malta,” prompting Vinícius to tell him to stop using drugs and drive responsibly before exiting the vehicle.
The driver then got out and confronted Vinícius, who stood his ground, not expecting an attack. However, the driver punched him in the face, and as Vinícius defended himself, the situation escalated.
“He went towards the car and I thought he was going to get in and leave, but soon he came towards me again with something in his hand. I didn’t realize what it was, and I thought he was just trying to intimidate me. The manouevre was very quick and I didn’t have time to take it in, but he hit me with some kind of blade at the height of my neck and I tried to defend myself by instinct by raising my shoulders.”
“When I felt the blow penetrating my left arm, I walked back. When the driver noticed a lot of blood running down my arm, he decided to get in the car and drive away.”
Vinícius later reported the incident at the Valletta police station, where officers called an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery for a wound that was over 15cm long and reached the bone.
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