Benefit planned for cabbie severely beaten by Marine
SURF CITY — As a cabbie prepares himself for several facial reconstructive surgeries after injuries from a weekend assault, social media outlets have snapped up the story and taken it beyond the borders of one North Carolina town.
“Charles’ life has been changed forever,” Charles Hawkesworth’s girlfriend, Brittany Schwartz, stated in a Facebook comment on Tuesday. Schwartz, and other friends and family members of Hawkesworth’s have used Facebook and other social media outlets to share his story and updates on his condition.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 9, Hawkesworth, a cab driver for Island Taxi, was allegedly attacked by Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Adam Kinosh. The altercation occurred after Hawkesworth tried to explain to Kinosh that he could split a fare with other passengers, but didn’t have to do so.
A video taken from the console of the cab shows a white male, allegedly Kinosh, verbally threatening Hawkesworth before pummeling him with his fists. (Warning: The video that opens with the hyperlink above contains profanity and violent scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers.)
The story and video were run initially by news outlets in Eastern North Carolina and then picked up by those in other states.
Kinosh has been charged with assault and communicating threats. The charges are misdemeanors because the suspect used his fists and not a weapon. He has reportedly checking into a mental health facility for treatment.
In the Facebook update, Schwartz said Hawkesworth injuries include multiple fractures along his eye socket, maxillary sinus and cheekbone and will require metal plates to repair the structural integrity of his face.
The Surf City community is doing what it can to provide support to one of its own.
Rex Bowen, owner of Island Taxi, updated his Facebook page Tuesday with information on a pub crawl in Surf City scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Island Taxi will be providing door-to-door shuttle service to the businesses involved.
“Sandbar, Dale’s Pub, Gilligan’s, Brass Pelican and Trailer Bar are all on board to host,” Bowen’s page stated. “The Bistro has offered its services as well. Gilligan’s would be a great place to have a bake sale and/or catering but will have NFL Football on the TVs for entertainment. Trailer Bar and The Brass Pelican will have live music outside on the deck. Dale’s Pub will have live music inside.”
The community is also attempting to put together a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for Hawkesworth’s medical bills.
“We are just in our prep-phase as a community to help one of our own. Please help anyway you can and every little bit helps,” Bowen stated on his page.
The “Help Charles” fundraiser at GoGetFunding.com raised more than $1,100 in just two days. All the proceeds go towards Hawkesworth’s rising medical expenses.
Distributed by MCT Information Services
