Livery driver shot, critically wounded in Queens

A livery car driver was shot and critically wounded in an apparent robbery attempt in the South Ozone Park section of Queens, police said Saturday.

The driver, who was shot in the legs, hand and neck after a struggle in the car, was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center after he was shot after 8:30 p.m. Friday, police said.

Police on Saturday said they were trying to determine whether they could retrieve video or photographs from the livery car's camera system.

The wounded man's boss identified him as Trevor Bell, 53, and said he had worked for Big D Royal Car Service in St. Albans for about seven months.

Frank Favors, the car service's owner, said that a man came to the business about 8 p.m. Friday and asked for a car to take him to 122nd Street, off Sutter Avenue, in South Ozone Park. That location ends in a cul-de-sac.

Bell asked his boss the price of that fare - $12 - then walked out the office with the man, Favors said.

When the driver and the man arrived at the destination, a struggle broke out, police said. The passenger shot the driver and then fled from the gold Chevy Impala the two were in, police said.

Police arrived at the scene at 8:50 p.m. Friday, and the wounded driver was rushed to the hospital.

"I didn't hear about him until the detective called and said he was in critical condition," Favors said.

Favors said Bell is well-regarded at the car service.

"He's a nice guy, he's a hell of guy." Favors said. "He works hard."