A car stolen in Donegal crashed into Alfie Johnstone’s taxi just inside Co Derry on the Ballyarnett Road.
He suffered severe bruising to his face and body after his VW Passat was forced off the road, rolling into a field.
The PSNI detained a teenage driver in the North; while two passengers ran across the Border into Donegal.
But the PSNI and Gardai activated a fast response communications system and Gardai were waiting on southern side of the Border.
All three suspects have now been freed on bail pending reports to the prosecution authorities.
“There was just an explosion of noise on my left hand side and the car rolled a few times,” Mr Johnstone told BBC Radio Foyle.
“I think I hit my head then. I was knocked out and I can’t really remember much after that.
“They hit the back corner of the car where the wheel is and knocked the axel about 50 yards down the road.
“If they had hit me on the front or the middle of the car it would have been a lot more serious.
“I don’t know what these guys are thinking about. This is a great city of ours. They are out stealing cars and ruining people’s lives. Why can’t they just be normal?#8221;