Driver LaRoyce Southall was caught off guard early Thursday morning when a man put a knife to his throat and demanded money during a routine fare.
The incident, which happened around 1:10 a.m. near the 700 block of North LeClaire Avenue, occurred after Southall picked up what he thought would be two women, but instead was two women plus one man.
On their way from South Washington to LeClaire, the man attempted to mug Southall.
"I couldn't believe it, the man had a knife to my throat and demanded money," Southall said.
All Southall could hand over was $30, but he then grabbed the knife and began to struggle with the man, losing two of his fingertips on his left hand and suffering gashes to both hands.
After the struggle, the three passengers ran away, leaving two cell phones in the back of the car. Southall was able to drive himself to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where doctors reattached his fingertips.
Police are continuing to look for the three passengers.
