A Washington State Uber Driver Accused of Assaulting Intoxicated Passenger
Allegations have surfaced against a Washington state Uber driver who reportedly raped and kidnapped an intoxicated passenger. The victim’s father and family intervened during the assault, coming to her rescue.
Ahmed Ali, 58, appeared in court facing charges of rape in the second degree and kidnapping in the first degree with sexual motivation aggravating circumstance.
According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Ali picked up a highly intoxicated woman who had been drinking with friends at bars in the Olympia area.
After being ordered a ride by a friend due to her intoxication, the victim was seen getting into Ali’s Uber at 12:17 a.m. However, instead of driving her home, Ali allegedly took advantage of the vulnerable passenger.
Rescue and Confrontation
The Uber driver used the app to falsely indicate that he had dropped the victim off at her destination. He then drove her to a secluded fishing spot outside of Fort Lewis Army base.
Concerned friends of the victim, who arrived at her house and noticed she was missing, alerted her father. Using a tracking app, the father and other family members located the victim being sexually assaulted in the back of the Uber.
As Ali attempted to flee, the father and relatives physically restrained him. During the altercation, the father fired two shots at Ali, who managed to escape but was later apprehended by authorities.
Ali was found severely injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. The victim, too intoxicated to consent, had no recollection of the events that occurred after she got into Ali’s Uber.
Legal Proceedings and Response
In court, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rudy Breteler highlighted Ali’s intent to conceal the victim’s location for his benefit. The judge set a $100K bail and ordered Ali to wear a GPS monitor if released.
Uber condemned the driver’s actions, stating that such behavior has no place on their platform. They promptly removed the driver’s access and offered cooperation with law enforcement.
Ali is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on July 2 to address the charges brought against him.
