A California woman took a cab from Manhattan to Long Island yesterday, then gave the driver a faceful of pepper spray when she realized she had only about half the fare, police said.
Cabby Alexandre Oseimensuo, 29, said he was blinded for a half-hour following the bizarre incident outside the Marriott in Melville.
“I could not believe it,” said Oseimensuo. “I want justice to be served on this woman. It’s not about the money; my eyes were burning very badly from what she did. It was very painful.”
The cabby said that the meter read $142 when they arrived at the hotel around 6 p.m. but that Amina Williams, 22, handed him just $80.
Realizing he’d been stiffed, the cabby began arguing with Williams, who sprayed him and dashed into the hotel, he said.
Oseimensuo was treated at North Shore University Hospital. Williams was collared and charged with misdemeanor assault and possession of a noxious substance.