Cab driver charged with DUI found urinating on taxi in Riverside

A cab driver found urinating on his vehicle was arrested on a charge of DUI early Sunday in southwest suburban Riverside.

About 12:30 a.m., a police officer noticed a yellow Ford cab stopped, facing westbound at the intersection of 26th Street and Harlem Avenue and discovered 60-year-old George Whittington urinating on the rear right tire, according to a statement from Riverside police.

Whittington, of the 900 block of South Ferdinand in Forest Park, told the officer that he was taking a customer home to Maywood, even though he claimed he was “off the clock.” He was waved down by the passenger and agreed to be paid with a $5.00 winning lottery ticket, police said.

The officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol from Whittington and observed glassy eyes, slurred speech, and swaying. Whittington was arrested for DUI after he failed roadside field sobriety tests with a blood alcohol content of .157, according to police.

While being brought into custody, Whittington became extremely belligerent, yelling profanities, ethnic slurs and threats. He claimed he was a “black panther” and told the officer “he would get even” with him, police said.

The passenger in the car was taken to the Riverside Police Department by a second officer so that he could make his way home safely, according to police.

Whittington was charged with DUI, disorderly conduct and improper parking on a roadway. His taxicab, owned by Cicero-based JRS Cab Corporation, was impounded. He was released on bond, police said.

“In this case, it was not very difficult for the officer to come across a DUI arrest,” said Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel. “It’s a textbook example.”