Woman Sues Uber For Negligence After She Was Sexually Assaulted By Driver
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A West Hollywood woman is suing Uber for negligence two years after she was sexually assaulted by a driver.
The lawsuit alleges that Uber promotes its service as safe for riders, but actually does little to protect riders from drivers who wish them harm.
"You're getting in that car with a complete stranger. You don't know who that person is," the plaintiff, Keather Taylor, 27, said. "More importantly. the company they're working for, Uber, has never seen them face-to-face."
The attack took place two years ago, when Taylor called an Uber from her smartphone after a friend's birthday party.
She said her last memory was entering the car and taking a sip from a complementary water bottle.
Her next memory is waking up in her bed naked, confused and frightened.
She called 911 and officers took her to the UCLA Rape Treatment Center.
Tests found DNA that matched Uber driver Walter Alberto Ponce.
Ponce was subsequently charged with two felonies: rape of an unconscious person and assault with intent to commit rape, the LA Times reported.
He pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of criminal sexual battery, for which he served six months in jail. He's currently out on probation and is required to register as a sex offender.
Taylor is seeking unspecific monetary damages from the San Francisco company. Her attorney said she's seeking a sum in the "hundreds of millions" of dollars.
She's also hoping the suit will spur the ride-hailing company to reform its vetting practices for drivers.
Uber declined to comment for this story, citing the pending litigation. But the company has said it conducts a criminal background check on all drivers, and that Ponce had a clean background with no prior complaints.
"I just hope that he knows in his heart what he did was wrong and that he will never ever hurt another woman like this ever again," Taylor said.