Man Dragged by Cab Unlikely to Survive

Police, parents launch desperate search for cab driver

The parents of a man critically injured when a cab driver sped off with him partly still in the vehicle say they know their son isn't going to survive and are making plans to have his organs donated.

Maureen and David Firkins continue to hold a bedside vigil for their son, Daniel, who remains in a drug-induced coma at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Last Friday afternoon, the 32-year-old grad student was leaning in a cab talking to the driver near West North Avenue and North Honore Street when the cabbie took off, dragging Firkins nearly a block before ultimately running him over.  Witnesses said the two men were arguing.

"This wasn't a hit-and-run or, 'Oh, Dan was distracted and walked out in front of a cab.'  The cab was stopped and then he was murdered. I mean, he was murdered.  And it's like in broad daylight," his mother said.

Firkins' friends have been scouring the neighborhood talking to people who may have seen what happened, but so far have turned up little leads.  There are no cameras at the intersection and police said they don't even have a general description of the cab. 

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 312-745-4521.

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