Dick Uliano, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – A former passenger is suing Uber car service and a driver after what he describes as a hateful and violent ride that left him injured and humiliated.
Uber is the company that provides a luxury sedan to customers who call for it from their smart phone.
In his lawsuit filed in D.C. Superior Court last month, Seth Bender of Arlington says he was verbally abused, kicked out of the car and assaulted by the Uber driver during the ride he booked over a year ago.
The problems began when he and a friend stepped into the sedan at 9th and U streets NW on February 13, 2012. Bender says he burped and excused himself, but the driver became irate, ranting that he “hates Americans and homosexuals.”
Bender alleges that the driver slapped him and spit in his face.
Bender is suing Uber, the driver, Hamza Abu Sharia, and the company that employed the driver Eddine Limousine of D.C. Uber drivers are paid through Uber, but are not employed by the company.
Bender is suing for $750,000 in damages.
Uber D.C.’s general manager Rachel Holt says the company has severed its relationship with the driver.
Follow @WTOP on Twitter.
