San Francisco resident and Uber user James Alva has taken to social media to complain that not only did the car and driver he ordered using the app not match the description he was given — but also that the driver became both physically and verbally abusive.
Alva summoned an UberX ride (an app which connects passengers to third-party drivers) using his iPhone after leaving a bar in the early hours of Sunday. At this point the notification on his phone told him that the driver sent would arrive in a silver Toyota Prius.
A short time later, Alva reports that a blue Prius showing a different license plate turned up — along with what he thought to be a different driver.
Since the driver was able to positively ID Alva, he got into the car, however — at which point things got worse.
Alva told police that the driver became short-tempered when he gave directions for the journey instead of a home address, and then became verbally abusive when Alva tried to ascertain whether this was indeed the right driver.
“He started saying I was a dirty Mexican faggot, things like that, as he was still driving,” Alva claims.
After a short drive — lasting just 2 minutes, 55 seconds — the driver pulled over and informed his passenger, “You know what? You gotta get out of my car.”
Alva also reports that the driver knocked the the iPhone out of his hands twice when he tried to take photographs to back up his side of the story. Alva phoned 911 at 2 a.m and was provided with a “reportee follow-up,” explaining that a police report would be generated in seven to 10 days.
The officer who arrived on scene determined that there “was not probable cause to arrest the driver for battery” on-site, and the case has been forwarded to the District Attorney “for further consideration.”
Uber, meanwhile, has refunded Alva’s money ($14 for the under-three minute ride) and informed him that the driver in question is under temporary suspension. The company additionally noted that it will be cooperative if the incident is followed up by police.
Source: SF Weekly
