For today's installment of Ridiculous Cab Stories, we present the six "elite" cabbies who tool around in customized Lexuses. What makes this entry different from previous contenders like the $51,000 Mercedes-Benz cab and the luxury motorcycle taxi service is that the Lexuses (Lexi?) are already on the streets, being driven by a motley crew of cabbies who are all drawn to the cars for its aura of prestige. But how long will they last? more ›

Police charged a driver with a DWI, plus vehicular assault and leaving the scene of an accident, after he struck a delivery man on Friday night. Ricardo Gonzalez had been biking up Eighth Avenue when he was struck from behind by Clark Gettiner, who was in a Lexus. According to the Post, Gettinger, 40, "struck Gonzalez with so much force Friday night that he was thrown from his bike and skidded 20 feet down slush-soaked Eighth Avenue before ending up beneath a double-parked BMW." more ›

A 28-year-old delivery man on a bicycle was struck by two cars in Manhattan last night. First, a Lexus struck him from behind at Eighth Avenue and West 47th Street around 10:15 p.m. A witness told the Post that the driver "rammed into the 28-year-old bike rider near 47th Street with an impact so violent that the cyclist's head knocked out the windshield on the passenger side." In spite of that, the driver did not stop and kept going. Then the delivery man was run over by a BMW SUV, whose driver stopped and remained at the scene. Update: It turns out the bicyclist was thrown under a BMW SUV, which was double parked. more ›

This post is brought to you by our advertiser, Lexus.

If you follow Gothamist on Twitter, you can win a chance to win a decadent Roman Feast for two at Danny Meyer's Italian restaurant, Maialino at the Gramercy Park Hotel. The meal, which includes two dinner and wine tastings, is on October 7, 2010 at 8 p.m.—just follow Gothamist on Twitter and retweet this message to win! Act fast, the contest ends tomorrow at 3 p.m. Courtesy of the new Lexus IS, Wield Precision. more ›

The following post is from our advertiser, Lexus. The new 2011 Lexus IS proves it isn't real performance unless it's wielded with precision. Equipped with an available 306-horsepower engine, the Lexus IS offers track-tested agility and superb braking performance, along with the oomph of power that gives you an exhilarating driving experience. This is the New 2011 Lexus IS. Wield Precision. more ›

The following post is from our advertiser, Lexus.

Influential democrat Gregory Meeks says his bank account is hovering near empty, but if that’s the case why is he spending nights at the Ritz Carlton? A Times piece exposed the Congressman’s considerable expenses which, in addition to pricey hotel stays, include a Lexus leased by the government (for $1,000/month), meals at trendy restaurants and a $1 million home in Queens built by a campaign contributor. “When it was getting built, I thought it was going to be four houses,” said a neighbor. more ›

In the wake of Toyota's manufacturing difficulties, a Westchester couple has filed a lawsuit against the flickering auto company after a freak accident in 2008 killed their five year old son. Nancy Murtha of Cortlandt attempted to apply the brakes in her Lexus RX350 when instead, the vehicle accelerated out of control and smashed into a stone wall. Murtha was knocked unconscious into a coma for six days. Her son, Jacob, who was in the back seat (wearing a seatbelt) sustained critical injuries and died hours later. more ›

On the afternoon of December 3rd, two men, Jesus Muñoz, 38, and Joseph Cartagena, 21, found a 2008 beige and gold Lexus parked on West 81st Street with the keys inside. But instead of counting their blessings and using their new-found wheels for a road trip to Dollywood like sensible people, they decided to cash in. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Post, the Lexus belonged to Richard Grausman, 71, a notable chef and culinary educator who reported the car stolen that same day. But police wouldn't have to look to hard for it, because the alleged thieves called Grasuman themselves. more ›

Police believe drag racing caused a spectacular crash on Francis Lewis Boulevard that left two teens and 11-year-old boy hospitalized. Two cars, a BMW and a Lexus, were seen speeding around 11 p.m. last night when they knocked into each other, sending the BMW spinning into a parked van. Witness Peter Boudouvas tells CBS 2, "I saw one car bump the car on the left, took 2 or 3 spins, van moved 30 feet up. I jumped out, called 911 and asked nobody to move." According to ABC 7, police had to cut down a tree to get through to the wreckage. Another witness says the BMW was "doing 60 to 70 mph...Things like this happen all the time." The 18-year-old driver of the BMW and two male passengers, ages 18 and 11, were rushed to Booth Memorial Hospital in Queens. The 11-year-old is in critical condition, and the 16-year-old driver of the Lexus walked away with minor injuries. He was given a breathalyzer test (it came back negative) and is being questioned by police, but he's already in violation of the law for driving without a licensed adult in the car. more ›