Lyft and Uber drivers are often in the news due to the treatment they get from their respective companies. However, it’s essential also to remember that some rideshare drivers can be dangerous. Recently, one Arizona woman came forward with her story of being kidnapped by a Lyft driver. Naturally, she was afraid for her life after the driver passed her drop-off location and refused to stop the vehicle.

Some Lyft and Uber drivers aren’t as safe as others

It has become more common than ever for people to use ride-share apps to get where they need to go. Of course, Lyft drivers are a significant part of this new world of transportation. According to AZ Family, an unnamed woman is coming forward with her story of being kidnapped while in the back of a Lyft. This reportedly happened on November 6th. 

The kidnapping victim is a mother of two who has been relying on Lyft and Uber drivers while her car is out of commission. This particular day, it was the end of a 10-hour work shift, and she says everything started off in an expected way. At the time, she was heading to pick up her kids from daycare. She and the driver, Justice Levon, made conversation, and she eventually fell asleep in the back seat of his car. 

Things took a turn when she woke up and realized she was beyond her drop-off location. According to her, “So then I said, ’Hey sir, you missed my stop. I dozed off. It‘s a good thing I woke up,’ and he was just talking to himself about, ‘Allah, Allah, am I doing ok?’”

When the Lyft driver didn’t stop, she called 911 and spoke to the dispatcher. She goes on, “I was scared for my life. I told the dispatch lady I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what his intentions are.”

The driver eventually let her out

Sadly, her phone died. Luckily, he eventually let her out at a field around the same time the police reached them. According to her account, the driver told police he believed her to be “the voice in his head.” The driver also told police he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective and bipolar disorder.

As would be expected, police arrested the man, and he later got out on bond. As for the passenger, she has not returned to work. 

Lyft released the following statement, “Safety is fundamental to Lyft, and the incident described is deeply troubling. We have permanently removed the driver from the Lyft platform, contacted the rider to offer support, and stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation.”