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Uber removes driver after woman reports disturbing encounter during late-night ride
Elyse Madrid, 22, says her Uber driver cancelled the trip while she and a friend were still in the car during a late-night journey in Chicago. She became concerned when the vehicle seemed to be going the wrong way, and the incident has prompted a police report and a warning to other passengers.
Madrid said the driver gave conflicting explanations for the cancellation, then pulled over on Randolph Street near the Kennedy Expressway after she demanded to get out. She said he drove away at about 40 to 50 mph; Uber has removed his access to the platform while it investigates and says it has contacted police. A rideshare safety app founder advised passengers to speak up, share their location and call emergency services if they feel in immediate danger.
In short
- Uber removed the driver while it investigates.
- Madrid says the trip was cancelled with them still inside.
- She filed a police report after leaving the car.
Explained simply
Uber is a company that lets people book rides through a mobile app, which matches passengers with drivers using their own cars. The app tracks a journey and provides details about the driver and vehicle, but drivers are not company employees in the usual sense.
Chicago police can investigate reports of threatening or dangerous behaviour, while Uber can review a driver’s use of its platform under its own rules. Passengers can share their journey details and location through the app, and can contact emergency services if they believe they are in immediate danger.