Woman, 22, stabbed her Lyft driver in the HEAD 11 times then stole his car, police say
A 22-year-old woman in South Carolina has been charged after allegedly stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times in the head and stealing his car in April, in an attack her lawyers say occurred during a severe mental health crisis. Naziyha La'Nay Weatherall requested the ride from her apartment complex in Greenville County, then attacked the driver before fleeing in his vehicle. The case has drawn attention for the disturbing nature of an ordinary rideshare pickup turning violent, and for the tension between the driver's family's calls for accountability and the defence's argument that Weatherall was experiencing a psychiatric episode.
The driver was found seriously injured near Haywood Road and East North Street and taken to hospital, where he spent time in intensive care; more than four months on, his wife told a court hearing that he remains physically and emotionally affected. Weatherall faces charges including attempted murder, carjacking resulting in bodily injury, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Her defence says she has schizophrenia, was suffering hallucinations and delusions of being trafficked at the time, had called the Lyft intending to reach a police station, and has no prior criminal record; she is now medicated and stable, and is expected to undergo a psychological evaluation. She remains in custody without bond despite her mother's plea to the court.
- Woman, 22, allegedly stabbed Lyft driver 11 times, stole his car
- Driver hospitalised, still recovering four months later
- Defence cites severe mental health crisis; she remains held without bond
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The driver’s family can argue that the alleged attack caused grave, lasting harm and that the seriousness of the charges warrants accountability and continued protection of the public while the case proceeds. They may also stress that the driver deserves recognition and support, regardless of what was happening in the accused’s mind.
The case against
The defence can argue that, if the account of a severe psychotic episode is supported by medical evidence, it is relevant to her culpability and to what response would best protect the public and support treatment. Her reported lack of a prior record, current stability on medication and need for a psychological evaluation may weigh in favour of care and a proportionate outcome, while still recognising the serious harm to the driver.