CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two rideshare drivers were recovering Tuesday after being attacked with stun guns by their passengers. The girls are due back in court on April 20 to discuss the status of the case, the outlet said. The effects of carjacking can last for a long time, even when authorities are able to recover the car. During the attack, he was shot in the head and face. The trio sped off in his truck, and the Uber drive was left with nothing. Thirteen incidents involved guns, two involved knives or sharp objects, and 3 had the rideshare driver physically overpowered without a weapon involved. Authorities say they were involved in several armed robberies -- including nine in Chicago, as Roth said he was told. closing arguments in just. Uber and Lyft consider drivers independent contractors, so they dont have sick leave, workers compensation, or medical insurance through the companies. The victim of that incident was also a rideshare driver, and the assailant was armed with a handgun, police said. He has been an Uber driver for five years, and nothing like this has ever happened. I lost my car, my husband, money, everything we had, for a ride for six dollars and something cents.. Before approaching La Fountain's vehicle, the three suspects exited a black SUV, possibly a Kia Soul, according to Chicago police. Home Taxi Today in history: Taxi drivers to fight city over ban on parking - Cadillac News. The two teen girls accused of killing an Uber driver in a botched carjacking in Washington, DC, in March are expected to reach a plea deal with prosecutors in the case. Starting Friday, Uber said it is strengthening its verification process to validate the identity of riders using the app. After greeting the men, Norman said the one in the black hoodie insisted on sitting in the front seat, despite it being against Lyfts pandemic rules. He's upset.". "It, its sad. >> the black and white ball here on the bottom line. while driving off he threatened to shoot them but they hit him with whatever they had and yelled at him to get out. But what about those phantom profiles? Uber says it has sent . Sign up to get the Hello World newsletter in your inbox everySaturday. The driver was stunned in his torso. These companies have blood on their hands.. "Oftentimes people will put in pictures of their cat, or you know some landscaping," said Suzette Wright, a rideshare driver who signed the petition. Police said the girls, 13 and 15, attacked the man with a Taser, then tried to steal his car. Like God forbid, but I'm scared of that," he said. Uber said it has pioneered several safety features for drivers, including an emergency button that enables them to call or text 911. You do background checks on us. A fourth incident actually the earliest to occur around 8 p.m. happened in the 9700 block of South Princeton Avenue in the South Side's Roseland community. With mounting fear in the gig worker community, some drivers have devised their own workarounds to try and stay safe. Indiana resident Joe Schelstraete, 38, was working in Cicero, Illinois Monday evening when he. Another Lyft driver, who was carjacked in Chicago in January and wants to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by his assailants, had a similar experience trying to recoup the costs of his vehicle and belongings. Lori Lightfoot, who defied expectations four years ago to win the Chicago mayoral race as a political outsider, finds herself once again the underdog as she . He is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, among others. That was the first red flag of the night, she said. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. CHICAGO - At least five people were carjacked and robbed in a span of two hours. She added that the company has assisted law enforcement in several carjacking arrests, including two incidents in Chicago. Bitch, this is a carjacking, get out, the man in the passenger seat replied. In that case, the robbers approached the man's car, put a gun to his head, and ordered him out of his gray 2016 Lexus. After carjackings, drivers say that when they contacted the companies for help, Uber and Lyft did little to nothing to assist with things like medical bills and property damage. "I'm actually like, scared at night right now because I don't even know, are they going to come to my house. "A few of them, they were actually sleeping. The carjackers were described as three Black males who wore white face masks. There have been 352 carjackings in Chicago this year, according to the police, and some of these robbers are repeat offenders. And as soon as I did that, he got into the driver seat because the door was open already and he took control the car and sped off with it.". He is raising moneyto replace the items he lost. All rights reserved, WATCH: Procession Escorts Body of Fallen Chicago Officer From Hospital, Storm System Could Bring Rain, Snow, and Gusty Winds to Chicago Area Friday, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park. I just work the airport, Morrow said. Please adhere to the following: The survey we investigated was also used in dozens of other cities and counties, according to its creators. He was originally from Ghana but had been living in the U.S. since 2011. Ubers Page said drivers are free to install their own cameras, so long as they comply with local law. We've received your submission. Now Chicago Police. An Uber driver died two days after being shot in the head during a carjacking outside of Chicago. A new feature will require riders who are setting up accounts with prepaid debit cards, gift cards or Venmo to also upload a valid ID, like a driver's license or a passport. Kennedy FOX Business March 1, 2023 7:00pm-8:00pm EST. In juvenile court in the district, defendants who are found responsible meaning guilty may only be jailed until the age of 21, according to the outlet. By Friday, police had found and charged the male offender. Local drivers are so concerned about the increase, they've gathered more than 1,700 signatures on a petition. Two young teens have been charged in a carjacking that left an elderly Uber Eats driver dead on Tuesday. Its now been nearly 10 months since the incident, and the Crosses still dont have a car or any type of income. "I start driving, everything is normal," he said. But Norman stayed where she was. "And while they are making the transaction I had to remind them, 'Look, the sign's right here: no snacking,'" Sanchez said. Morrows Honda was recovered but had about $10,000 in damage, and he had to pay the $1,000 insurance deductible. Those usually involve people taking advantage of ride-hail drivers who are waiting for a ride or just finishing dropping off passengers. No one has been charged in his carjacking. This article has been updated to include a response from Uber that came in after press time. Lyft driver Elijah Newman had just moved to St. Louis when he was attacked in an attempted carjacking in April. The driver said police told him his car was totaled. In nearby Columbus, a 73-year-old Lyft driver was attacked in the same way on April11. The crime took place around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 3700-block of Douglas Avenue. We would like to see these billion-dollar companies come up with solutions, rather than leave it to drivers and small businesses, like myself, to keep everyone safe. Authorities said Mohammad Anwar, 66, an Uber Eats driver, died at the hands of two teenage girls who investigators said used a stun gun on him in Washington. To get on the platform, riders just need an email address and phone numberboth of which can be spoofed through fake email accounts, free SMS services, and burner phones. The two passengers then took off with his car, which has not been recovered. 'One of them put a gun against my head': Uber driver recounts terrifying carjacking incident. Uber Uberan. As for NBA, Lyft spokesperson Adams said it let Norman know that we had taken action, but Norman said she never heard from Lyft again about whether hed been deactivated. You get these cars to the location, they're waiting for you and once inside the vehicle it's much easier for them to force the individual out of the car. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Texas carjacking suspect pulled gun on mother in front of her children, led police on chase, Teen boys charged in carjacking murder of honor student, Family begs third suspect to confess after carjacking puts man in coma, Video captures critically injured man thrown from SUV by 15-year-old carjackers. Norman is just one of at least 124 ride-hail and delivery drivers whove been carjacked in the U.S. over the last year and a half, according to an analysis by The Markup. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are looking for a suspect after an Uber driver was shot and killed on the city's West Side. Two boys in Michigan are facing felony murder charges after fatally shooting a 17-year-old honor roll student during a failed carjacking. Working in partnership with law enforcement, we've sent safety information to drivers and couriers and are working with police on their investigations into these terrible crimes. The company also didnt offer her any financial assistance for hospital fees, eye doctor visits, or other costs that resulted from being paired with NBA on the app. When I put someone in the back of my car, I pray they dont have a gun, Kevin Ferrari said. Two people were apprehended and pleaded guilty last month to charges of armed robbery and the shooting of Tommy. An Uber driver died two days after being shot in the head during a carjacking outside of Chicago. Sanchez said its crucial that Uber and Lyft do whatever it takes to deter criminals from using the apps. Roth said since the sheriff's office still has his car, he is hopeful they will find some evidence that will link it to the carjackers. Dillbeck, 59, is slated to be put to death at 6 p.m. local time at the Florida State Prison in Raiford. In many ways, gig workers are the perfect target. The driver's son belongs to several rideshare groups, and said he always fears what the next message will say from his fellow rideshare drivers. "I don't think a few hundred or a few thousand dollars is worth anyone's life - and at least mine or my father's life for sure," he said. Indiana resident Joe Schelstraete, 38, was working in Cicero, Illinois Monday evening when he picked up four armed men who used the Uber app to hail him, according to Fox 32. The Pakistani immigrant, who lived in nearby Virginia, suffered a head injury and later died, police said. 1 hospitalized after fire in West Town, CFD says, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely. (Erin Kenney) Article Two girls ages 13 and 15 have been charged with felony murder after D.C. police said their attempt to carjack a food delivery driver outside Nationals Park on Tuesday. Whatever they want, I'm doing," Naftali Roth said. After the man in the passenger seat punched her, Norman said, he ran around to the drivers side to try to pull her out of the car. I dont know what to do next. A screenshot of the interactive chart, with a redirect to themarkup.org/carjackings, Sources: Driver interviews, police reports, and news articles. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Then, late Thursday, a 35-year-old man was shot by an unknown suspect during an attempted carjacking in Gold Coast. And he even came across one driver wearing a bulletproof vestits the only way he feels safe working now, the driver told Sanchez. He's in a state of shock, definitely. Some [drivers] got in the media, some didnt. He had separate insurance through Lyft, but it wouldnt cover anything but the loss of his car, and with that he was still on the hook for a $2,500 deductible. You have just drawn the line in the sand. Their cars ended up crashed, in chop-shops, or used in other crimes. The alleged assailant had used a fake name to hail the ride, according to the statement. I dont know how to pay my bills. The man's 56-year-old father was carjacked while driving for Uber in the 2900 block of North Sawyer Avenue in Logan Square, just before 10 p.m. Monday. The companies apps make it fairly simple for people to create fake accounts with fake names and, oftentimes, use untraceable payment methods, like a gift card. Relatives said the 46-year-old rideshare driver was killed after they say investigators told them he fought back when a passenger tried to carjack him on the city's West Side. Your contributions help us investigate how technology influences oursociety. Drivers say the companies are doing little to help By Dara Kerr July 22, 2021 08:00 ET Updated July 22, 2021 16:40 ET CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rideshare companies are taking action to help not only make their drivers feel safer but actually make them safer while working. Drivers want to see a real first names and want rideshare companies to require a state ID or license picture to be uploaded as a rider picture, instead of the ability to use a blank avatar. We deactivated the accounts of the riders involved in these incidents the same day they were reported to us.. The driver's son met his father at the scene to pick him up after he was attacked. Campbell Matthews, a DoorDash spokesperson, told The Markup in an email, We regularly send communications on safety tips and best practices to workers and the company plans to add an emergency assistance button to its app later this year.. Starting Friday, Uber is strengthening its verification process to validate the identity of riders using the app as an extra safeguard measure to protect its drivers. Illinois Gov. Not all drivers report the incidents either. He was attacked by two passengers, one of whom put a gun to his head before the ride started and demanded he leave the car. A Chicago man has been charged in federal court with carjacking and killing a ride-share driver in Lawndale earlier this year. It seems like a couple steps could be taken that would solve a lot of problems, Greening said. "There is a large police presence at the mall at this time," Aurora police tweeted at 3:23 p.m. No further details were immediately available. By the end of 2021, the city was on pace to set a new record for carjackings by upwards of 44%. Hes a hardworking young man that was out trying to make a dollar, said Cicero Police Chief Jerry Chlada, according to the Fox affiliate. It all started in North Lawndale and ended in suburban Stickney Township. And in cities across the country, some drivers have bought dash cams, while others say theyve started carrying weapons despite it being forbidden by the companies. Gig workers guards are down in a way that normal drivers wouldnt be because they have strangers getting in and out of their cars, said Greening, the lawyer. Recently Won Cases (Actual Dates and Cases) February 2023 In each incident, a group of four men dressed in all black approached Uber drivers and other motorists and demand their vehicle and personal property at gunpoint, police said. Now Chicago Police say that gun was used in several robberies. It didnt even cover towing; they billed me for that too, she said. Then he punched her in the face. Theyre the innovators.. Sanchez gave chase on foot. Experts say everyone should be suspicious of criminals who may tap your bumper intentionally, trying to get drivers to stop. Investigations, Dara Kerr "Issues that affect the safety of drivers are very concerning to us. The number would represent an over sixfold. Bryant Greening, an attorney and co-founder of Chicago-based LegalRideshare, said he gets calls from drivers whove been carjacked on a weekly basis. The Markup was able to verify his account through a police news release on the incident. Tuesday's. Some police departments, like Chicago and Oakland, have issued warnings about carjackings of ride-hail drivers. But CPD's media release about those cases did not mention that the . During the attack, he was shot in the head and face. Please enter valid email address to continue. The victim was standing on Chestnut Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. with his girlfriend when man approached and demanded the keys to his vehicle, according to law enforcement. Reddit threads are filled with drivers swapping stories about alias rider names like The man, dark vader, and KINK86. A Chicago ride-hail driver started a petition calling on Uber and Lyft to ban fake names because of safety issues; it now has more than 1,800 signatures. By comparison, there were 75 during the same period in 2019, according to city data. Families of killed drivers have done the same for funeral arrangements. He was lured in through the app, Sanchez, the Chicago driver organizer, said about Schelstraete. 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