Noel Díaz, a Cuban residing in the United States, recently recounted a harrowing experience while working as an Uber driver in Kentucky. Díaz shared his ordeal in a TikTok video, describing how he was assigned to pick up a passenger, only to find that the person who entered his vehicle was not the one who had requested the ride.
"The person who got in was not the one who ordered the Uber. They just put him in my car," Díaz explained. As the journey commenced, he noticed the passenger appeared intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. "I could see he was drunk or high, not sure which," he recounted.
During the ride, Díaz observed through the rearview mirror that the passenger was behaving erratically: shaking, speaking incoherently, and drooling. Concerned for his safety, Díaz drove to a nearby gas station and notified the police using the Uber app. "I have more cameras than the White House," he quipped, signaling to a nearby patrol car.
When the vehicle stopped, an officer approached and found the passenger acting suspiciously. The situation escalated when the officer discovered the man was carrying a concealed blade. "This guy even had a weapon," Díaz stated in his testimony.
The passenger received medical attention from paramedics and was transported by ambulance after being given intravenous fluids. Left in the vehicle's trunk were two bags, which Díaz later handed over to the police station, where a formal report was filed and shared with Uber for support.
Although the incident was resolved without further incident, Díaz cautioned fellow drivers about the potential dangers of their job: "Be careful, folks, because people are acting crazy."
In a related incident, Cuban Uber driver Osvaldo Rivera McIntosh faced a violent attack in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a passenger became aggressive upon learning he was Cuban. The assailant, visibly intoxicated, hurled racist insults and physically assaulted Rivera, even attempting to strangle him with the seatbelt while pushing with his feet from the backseat. The situation escalated to the point where only the intervention of a private security patrol prevented a fatal outcome.
Carolina Reyes Pozada, Rivera's wife, initiated a fundraising campaign after criticizing the authorities' lack of response. She described the attack as "an attempted murder fueled by hate and racism," adding that her husband now lives in fear and is hesitant to resume driving.
The case gained further attention when complete footage of the incident was released, showing the assailant attacking Rivera twice. It was later confirmed that the perpetrator had been arrested and charged with assault by strangulation and assault.
Key Questions on Uber Driver Safety in the US
What steps should Uber drivers take if they feel unsafe?
Uber drivers should immediately stop in a safe, public location and alert authorities if they feel in danger. Utilizing dash cameras and the Uber app's emergency features can provide additional safety measures.
How can Uber drivers protect themselves from violent passengers?
Drivers can enhance their safety by installing dash cameras, using safety partitions, and avoiding confrontational situations. Being aware of passenger behavior and having quick access to emergency services are also crucial.
What legal actions can be taken against aggressive passengers?
Aggressive passengers can face charges ranging from assault to attempted murder, depending on the severity of the incident. Drivers should document the event and report it to the police and Uber for legal follow-up.