When thinking about the dangers or rideshare operators like Uber and Lyft, most concern is for passengers and pedestrians who could be injured when the driver is distracted by the rideshare app, mapping while driving, or fiddling with their music choice. However, rideshares can be dangerous for drivers too. 

Can Drivers Trust the Riders?

Lyft and Uber make a big deal about promising to do what they can to keep passengers safe, including driving history checks and criminal background checks. 

For now, let's ignore the fact that some drivers have shared access with unlicensed drivers or drivers who would not pass a criminal background. We should also ignore the fact that Uber and Lyft checks sometimes fail to identify violent criminals and sex offenders. What do drivers know about their passengers?

Lyft and Uber do not conduct background checks on riders. A Lyft driver who goes to pick up a fare at the airport could be letting a sex offender or violent felon into their car without having any idea that they could be in danger. 

Missing Lyft Driver With No Help From Lyft 

A family of a missing Lyft driver in Detroit is trying to get help from Lyft after the young man failed to return from providing a Lyft ride and left cryptic messages. Ingram Davis is a 34-year-old Lyft driver who went to pick up a rider on June 11th and has not been seen since. 

Davis' mother and sister got worried after he failed to return home or stay at a relatives house and sent him text messages. A cousin texted him and the response said, “Dodge Journey” and “1 Samuel 18:2.” Davis drove a Hyundai Elantra. The bible verse says: “And Saul took him that day, and would not let him go no more home to his father's house.” 

A later reply contained the same response about a Dodge Journey and the bible quote Ecclesiastes 3:7, “a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

The family has asked Lyft for help to give them information on his last ride but Lyft reportedly responded that they will not turn over any records without a warrant. The family has complained that the police have not been helpful and are not taking the case seriously.  

Fatal Stabbing of Lyft Driver

In 2019, Kristina Howato, a pregnant Lyft driver in Tempe, went to pick up 20-year-old Fabian Durazo. Durazo is accused of fatally stabbing the Lyft driver and is awaiting criminal charges on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the death of Howato and her unborn child. 

Lyft's response to the fatal stabbing of a Lyft driver by a Lyft passenger included, “The passenger's account has been permanently deactivated and we are actively assisting law enforcement with their investigation."

Lyft or Uber Drivers Injured or Assaulted

Lyft and Uber cannot ignore their responsibility for keeping Lyft and Uber drivers safe, as well as passengers. If Lyft or Uber are not taking action to prevent assaults of both passengers and drivers, they should be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been assaulted or injured in a Lyft ride in the greater Denver metropolitan area, please do not hesitate to contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here to help.