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Board revokes taxi driver's permit after review of 9‑1‑1 tape, police reports and medical photos
Summary
After reviewing 9‑1‑1 recordings, police reports and photographs, the San Francisco Board of Appeals overruled the Taxi Commission and revoked the driving permit (a‑card) and medallion of a taxi driver, citing violations of driver conduct rules and public‑safety concerns.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted unanimously on May 20 to overrule the Taxi Commission and revoke the public‑passenger driving permit (the a‑card) and medallion held by driver Hakim Ikarulian, after commissioners reviewed police reports, a 9‑1‑1 recording and photographs documenting injuries to a passenger.
SFMTA representative Jordana Thigpen and Sergeant Reynolds of the police taxi detail told the board the original Taxi Commission hearing had a substantially different penalty recommendation and that additional records and the original police report were now in hand. "The original police report is here now for your review," Thigpen said.
Sergeant Reynolds described the incident to commissioners and said some injuries consistent with trauma were documented in later photographs. He emphasized that the department must remove drivers who present a safety risk to passengers. "We don't need violent drivers," Reynolds said, summarizing his view on the evidence.
In testimony before the board Hakim Ikarulian described a late‑night highway of events in which he and a passenger argued over the destination and the passenger allegedly struck him with a cell phone. He said he asked the passenger repeatedly to exit and left the scene; he acknowledged that he did not take the passenger to a police station or call dispatch at the time. "I made a mistake," he told commissioners during questioning.
Commissioners weighed multiple factors: the 9‑1‑1 tape and police reports that captured the incident, testimony from police and cab inspectors about driver training and required reporting, and photographic records showing injuries. Several commissioners expressed concern that the driver left the intoxicated or injured passenger in the street late at night rather than transporting her to safety or otherwise following protocol.
After deliberation the board voted 5–0 to overrule the Taxi Commission action and revoke the permit; adoption of formal findings will occur at a later date. The board also indicated that a revoked driving permit may be the subject of a reapplication in one year but that reissuance would depend on future review of the applicant’s character and compliance history.
