A man who formerly worked as a driver for Lyft has been charged with kidnapping and raping a woman in Illinois, which is the second attack he is accused of. The attack occurred back in 2014 against a 27-year-old woman. The woman was walking in Chicago when she noticed the man standing on the sidewalk.
The woman tried to walk away, but he blocked her path, opened his car door and demanded she get inside. He then drove her to an area near a park and stopped the car. The woman got out and tried to get away, but the man tackled her to the ground before assaulting her. She went to a police station and was examined at the hospital. DNA collected from her showed a “strong association” to the accused. At the time he was charged, he was being held for similar charges in an attack that happened last year.
The previous woman who he attacked claimed that she ordered a ride from Lyft, he picked her up, and then drove her somewhere else and attacked her. The woman was later able to escape and sued Lyft and the company that conducts background checks for Lyft.
Since rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have become popular, there has been a wave of rapes and assaults by drivers. The hiring process at the companies is done entirely online, and the companies may not do thorough background checks. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries because of the wrongful actions of a rideshare driver in the Los Angeles area, you should speak with an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.