In a strange incident, an agitated cab driver in the US kicked her passenger out following an argument. A viral video of the incident showing the passenger stranded on a highway in Nashville, Tennessee has triggered a discussion online.
In a TikTok video shared by @aaron0308, the male passenger is heard asking the driver to go under the speed limit. “I’m saying I’m gonna go…” the driver says and turns back only to realise he is recording her. In a fit of rage, the Lyft driver tries to snatch the phone and is seen freaking out and showering abuses at him.
She then pulls over and repeatedly asks him to get out. “I just want my bag, ma’am,” he is heard saying as she storms out of the car, barefoot, and tosses his suitcase along the highway.
“You think I’m gonna deal with that? I got it all on camera too, everything!” The woman is heard yelling before driving off, leaving the passenger behind.
Lyft driver in Tennessee freaks out and leaves a passenger on the side of the road pic.twitter.com/YBUwjJkMPi
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 15, 2021
According to Channel News 5, the incident happened when the passenger identified as Aaron Swetland was headed home from the Nashville International Airport recently. He told the local media outlet that at first everything seemed fine but trouble began when he wanted the driver to close his rear window because of the pressure on his ears.
“So I attempt to raise the window on the door and she has it locked out,” said Swetland, who was once a ride-share driver himself. He said the driver, however, pointed out that it was Lyft’s Covid protocol to keep the windows open.
Things reportedly escalated soon after when he asked her to reduce the vehicle’s speed so that it would be more pleasant for him if the car’s windows were to be kept down. “That’s when I turned on my camera,” he said.
While Swetland kept his cool, the driver appeared to be extremely agitated. “When she yanked my bag out of the vehicle and then returned to the trunk I had a brief moment of ‘Well, does she have a weapon?’” he told WTVF.
“This really can happen to anybody and you really kind of have to be cautious of your surroundings and just be aware. In this particular instance, for me, it was a change in tone, in attitude,” he added, claiming that she was rude for no reason.
Responding to the incident, a Lyft spokesperson issued a statement with News4 Nashville saying the driver in question has been suspended. “Safety is fundamental to Lyft, and the incident shown in the video is concerning. We have reached out to the rider to offer our support and have suspended the driver’s account pending a complete investigation,” the company said.
Some netizens, meanwhile, argued the driver must be fired but others said they wanted to hear both sides of the story to know what exactly triggered the driver.
A blowup doll in passenger seat, police tape, bare feet & a lime green can of who knows what… yeah i’m not getting in that one! https://t.co/ovV4JxQQOW
— Scott Stanford (@scottstanford1) September 16, 2021
Pretty sure I would never get into a lyft/uber/taxi with skull and crossbones police style tape. I feel like I read those books.
— Please get the vaxx (っ◕‿◕)っ (@TheyCallMeTarz) September 16, 2021
Well hello @lyft ❗️
Are you screening for mentally unstable and dangerous drivers at all❓🤨
— Cruz Thomas 🇺🇸 🌎 🐶🌄💉🔬 (@realCruzThomas) September 15, 2021
I would like to know the real story.
Story continues below this adBecause it seems like he turned on his recording at the right moment, after the real argument, then pretends he is all innocent and was just asking about the speed limit.
But yes, pull off the highway and drop him off.
— Jeff DeCola (@JeffDeCola) September 15, 2021
I’m holding my judgement. It seems like something happened prior to the recording to change the narrative.
— Mad World (@mmmadWORLDDD) September 16, 2021
Also, the windows are down because of covid protocols. Why would you ask for it to be rolled up? The driver is severely over reacting, but also something is fishy. 🤷♀️
— 🏳️🌈 ArrieWarrie 🏳️🌈 (@arrie_za) September 16, 2021
I don’t think I would have even gotten into that vehicle
— PK (@UntideLaces) September 16, 2021
Is the yellow tape crime scene tape or is it to stop the virus spreading to the front of the car 🤨
— 🅿️Ⓜ️ (@RealmcCoyRoy) September 15, 2021
….and I don’t think that’s how you wear a seatbelt.
Just sayin pic.twitter.com/PDUiS37yVe— 🌼💛 (@FlagGirlUSA) September 15, 2021
Glad he got the license plate. And her driving barefoot, not sure if it’s legal there but if any issue the driver will probably be cited.
— Mynmnobody 🇺🇸🏴☠️ (@PMynmnobody) September 15, 2021
how do you leave somebody on the side of the expressway…and how do you order a new lyft on the side of the expressway ?????
— jordan🥀 (@houstonxjordan) September 15, 2021
Ya this is a bit frightening. Grabbing someone’s phone so they get in trouble, and I mean wow… I pray Lyft fires this driver – rather what they are doing (suspension). https://t.co/FrdfJcCW4i
— Paul Fiore (@ThePaulFiore) September 16, 2021
And what does Lyft have to say. Deplorable behavior and leaving him on the street??? Throwing his bag because he asked to do the speed limit https://t.co/hXhxL4v0of
— Brenda M. Barrett (@norezisitingme) September 16, 2021