A Xi'an illegal taxi driver failed to overcharge passengers, drove into tourists, and fled the scene; the parties involved recount the harrowing moment

Question AI · How does this incident expose the risks of illegal operations in tourist cities?

Jimu News Reporter Shu Longhuan

Recently, a conflict between tourists and illegal ride-hailing vehicle drivers in Xi’an has attracted attention. On March 22, the Xi’an Public Security Bureau Yanta Branch announced: regarding the online reports of “conflict between illegal ride-hailing drivers and passengers,” the bureau has already filed a case for investigation. According to the investigation, on March 20, 2026, 52-year-old male driver Zhong and passenger Luo argued over the fare. Zhong, knowing Luo was leaning on the car’s hood, forcibly drove away, causing Luo to fall and be injured, which had a negative social impact.

According to relevant provisions of the Criminal Law, the bureau has taken criminal compulsory measures against Zhong, and the case is under further investigation. The clues related to Zhong’s involvement in illegal operation have been handed over to relevant departments for processing.

Black car leaving the scene (photo provided by interviewee)

On March 22, Luo told Jimu News reporter the details of the incident.

Luo said they were a group of four traveling from Sichuan to Xi’an. On the evening of March 20, they were at a street corner in Xi’an’s Daming Bieye City preparing to take a taxi when they saw a black car with a “vacant” sign. They mistakenly thought it was a legitimate taxi and got in, planning to go to a barbecue restaurant in Changfengyuan area, a distance of about 5.6 kilometers.

After getting in, Luo and others noticed something was wrong. According to Luo, his companions reminded him that the car did not have a proper taxi meter, and the driver was using a mobile app to calculate the fare, with the fare jumping very quickly.

When they arrived at the destination, the driver told Luo and his group they needed to pay 77 yuan. Luo immediately questioned this, believing that the fare was too high for 5.6 kilometers, as the mobile app’s fare was increasing too fast. He then learned from nearby legitimate taxi drivers that the normal fare for that distance should be around 20 yuan. “We paid 40 yuan at that time, but the driver blocked us from leaving, and a dispute broke out.”

It was only then that Luo and his group realized they had encountered an illegal “black car” driver. They asked to call the police. The driver was very agitated but then changed his tone and said he wouldn’t pursue the fare. Luo stood in front of the vehicle, insisting on reporting the incident; he and his companions also asked the driver to show the relevant operating license, and the driver agreed to retrieve his documents.

Diagnosis certificate (photo provided by interviewee)

Unexpectedly, after getting in the car, the driver suddenly accelerated and fled. Luo, leaning on the car’s hood, was hit and pushed forward, falling onto the road after being driven over for more than ten meters. Luo recalled that the driver did not honk before leaving, and he felt that the driver hit him and drove away without hesitation.

After fleeing the scene, a kind car owner helped by sharing footage from a dashcam with Luo. Luo immediately reported the incident to the police and went to the local police station to cooperate with the investigation.

The collision caused Luo to be injured. The hospital diagnosis showed: mild closed-head injury; abrasions on the right ankle, both knees, and left elbow. Fortunately, Luo’s three companions and other citizens at the scene were unharmed.

Luo said he stayed in Xi’an to continue sightseeing after reporting the case and is waiting for the police to handle the investigation. It wasn’t until March 22 that the police issued a statement, marking a significant development. He also expressed gratitude to the helpful Xi’an drivers and citizens.

On March 23, the reporter learned from Yanta Branch that the case is still under further investigation. A staff member from Xi’an’s comprehensive transportation law enforcement department said they have received clues involving Zhong’s illegal operation, and the relevant department is following up on the investigation.

Source: Jimu News (Reporter: Shu Longhuan)

Editor: Luo Ting, Liu Siyu

Review: Zhang Xin