For-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers are demanding urgent action to revise what they call “a dangerous and outdated policy after a brutal attack on a passenger” that resulted in his death. Michael Shelonchik, age 53, was in the back seat of an FHV, stopped at an intersection in Coney Island, when two suspects opened the back-seat doors, began brutally beating him and yanked the gold chain off his neck – a “Jewish star… all diamond-filled,” which may have drawn the attention of the robbers.
Police say Shelonchik had a medical condition after the robbery and was pronounced dead at Maimonides Medical Center. They released surveillance video of the suspects wanted in connection with his death. It can be viewed at: https://abc7ny.com/post/brooklyn-deadly-robbery-drivers-rally-passenger-dies-following-beating-hire-vehicle-coney-island/15828927/.
Frustrated FHV drivers held a rally in The Bronx, saying they want to change the law to allow them to lock their backseat doors, once a passenger has entered their vehicle and is secured. The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers says this practice is not currently allowed, enabling passengers to safely exit the vehicle if they choose – but advocates say the bigger risk is the doors being unlocked.
Shelonchik was a family man who he had been with his wife for 30 years. They raised their two daughters in Brooklyn.
Source: KRDO
