EXCLUSIVE: Rideshare driver attacked by passenger, then deactivated by Uber
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - A 72-year-old rideshare driver says he was violently attacked by a passenger.
Bill Meyers says the assault happened late last month near Villanova Drive and Amherst Drive, just off Miles Avenue and Madison Street, during an Uber pickup involving a passenger with a bicycle that would not fit inside his vehicle.
According to Meyers, the disagreement quickly turned violent.
He says the passenger punched him in the face, threw him to the ground and repeatedly slammed him against his vehicle.
"I thought to myself, this guy could kill me if he wants to," Meyers said.
Meyers says he drove himself home before reporting the assault to police.
He later learned he had suffered a concussion, six facial fractures, a fractured eye socket, broken dentures and injuries to his arms, legs and body. He says the injuries have left him unable to work for at least a month.
But Meyers says the challenges didn't end there.
The day after the attack, he says Uber notified him that his driver account had been permanently deactivated for what the company described as a violation of its policies.
"I was only worried about recovering and what was wrong with me, with full plans on going back to work once I was able to drive, and the next day I get a thing on my Uber app that says, 'Your app has been deactivated for violation of company policy,'" Meyers said.
Meyers says Uber never explained why his account was deactivated. He believes he was acting in self-defense during the attack.
News Channel 3 reached out to Uber for answers.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said:
"Violence of any kind is not tolerated on the Uber platform, and driver safety remains a top priority. As soon as this incident was reported to us, we banned the rider from the Uber platform. We have been in touch with the driver, and are standing ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."
Uber did not answer News Channel 3's question about why Meyers' driver account was deactivated.
Meyers says he plans to return to rideshare driving once he has recovered from his injuries but intends to drive for Lyft instead.
Indio Police confirmed the assault is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
