Cab drivers speak out after fatal crash

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A taxi driver is who you should call when you're impaired. But police say Whitney Gettys didn't call a taxi and got behind the wheel intoxicated early Sunday morning.

The 23-year-old ended up hitting Semere Issak, the driver for Airport Taxi. Cabbies who work with Issak at Airport Taxi are devastated. 

“We work for the public. We are servants of the public,” said Daniel Woldemarin. “She killed him.”

Gettys was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death.  Metro police say Whitney Gettys was driving a Jeep Cherokee and slammed into an Airport Taxi cab near the intersection of North Delaware Street and East Washington.

Woldemarin says the 32-year-old driver from east Africa, just started working for the company in the last five months.

Kevin Watkins, who operates Indy Bail Bonds, was there moments after the crash, it happened in front of his business.

“Worst car accident I have ever seen. I have seen a lot. The car (was) splintered,” Watkins said.

Watkins’ son helped the accused. He tried helping the cabbie, but it was too late.

“He was just bent and crushed in the vehicle,” Watkins said.  “It was horrible and we saw his last moments. It was sad.”

Friends say they are preparing to send Issak’s body to East Africa.

The prosecutor’s office is reviewing the charges. Gettys declined to talk to 24-Hour News 8 on camera.