Two separate passenger groups in Phoenix say the same Uber driver drove erratically on Dec. 19, prompting alarm and a 911 call. One rider, Yuki Momohara, recorded video showing dangerous lane changes and near-collisions; she says the driver allegedly threatened her boyfriend. Minutes later another passenger, Eva Carlson, reported the driver reached about 100 mph and nearly rear-ended another vehicle. Uber has deactivated the driver while the company reviews the incidents.
Two Uber Rides Turn Dangerous in Phoenix: Passengers Allege Driver Reached 100 MPH and Made Threats
Arizona's Family/YouTubeYuki Momohara
Two separate groups of Uber passengers in Phoenix say they endured frightening rides with the same driver in December, alleging erratic driving, threats and near-collisions that left riders fearing for their safety.
What Passengers Say
On Dec. 19, passenger Yuki Momohara told AZ Family that she and her boyfriend took an Uber and were terrified by the driver's behavior. Momohara recorded video inside the vehicle that was later published by AZ Family. The footage, she says, shows the car swerving across lanes, nearly striking concrete highway barriers and riding up onto a sidewalk while the passengers shouted for the driver to stop.
‘I Was Scared For My Life’
“He went from the complete right lane to the left lane to go on to the exit, and then he almost hit a wall,” Momohara told AZ Family. “I am clearly just freaking out and asking this man to stop the vehicle.”
Momohara said she called 911 after the vehicle stopped. She told the outlet the driver allegedly threatened her boyfriend, saying, “If you don’t get out of the vehicle, I’m going to hurt you.” According to Momohara, the driver then accelerated and her boyfriend exited the car.
Another Rider Reports 100 MPH
Minutes later, AZ Family reports, the same driver picked up another passenger, Eva Carlson. Carlson described a nearly identical episode and said she watched the speedometer approach roughly 100 mph as the driver nearly rear-ended a slower-moving vehicle. “I had never been in a situation like that before. It was scary,” she told the outlet.
Platform Response
AZ Family reports that Uber has since deactivated the driver from its platform. At the time AZ Family’s reporting was relayed to PEOPLE, Uber had not immediately provided a comment on the incidents.
Context And Safety Concerns
The accounts underscore passenger safety concerns in ride-hailing services when passengers encounter dangerous or threatening behavior. Video evidence published by AZ Family played a central role in documenting these allegations.
What We Know: Two separate passenger groups independently reported the same driver for dangerous driving and an alleged threat on Dec. 19 in Phoenix; one group called 911 and video of the incident was published by AZ Family. Uber deactivated the driver pending its review.
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