Lyft Driver Accused Of Masturbating In Front Of Female Passenger During Ride, Investigation Underway

Police were investigating after a New York woman accused a Lyft driver of masturbating inside the car while taking her for a job interview earlier this month.

Speaking to Eyewitness News on Friday, Kathleen said she was traveling from Brooklyn to Manhattan when the driver started masturbating. She recorded the act and exited the vehicle.

"I was appalled and disgusted. No woman should have to go through that,” she said.

Another woman accused a different driver of sexually assaulting her after canceling the ride and turning off his app mid-way in June. The unidentified woman said she complained about the incident to Lyft following which the ride-hailing company suspended her account and did not investigate the matter.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, a spokesperson for the company said, "The safety of our community is fundamental, and both incidents described are unacceptable. We have been in touch with the riders involved to offer support and have permanently removed these drivers from the Lyft community. We stand ready to work with law enforcement."

Meanwhile, both women have hired attorney Mike Bomberger to represent them. Bomberger has filed a lawsuit accusing Lyft of not doing enough to protect the riders.

"I think that Lyft has sent a clear message that they are indifferent to these assaults occurring in their vehicles. They have taken policies to silence these women,” Bomberger said.

Responding to the lawsuit, Mary Winfield, Lyft's head of trust and safety, said the company is "committed to providing safe transportation. Our commitment is stronger than ever as we dedicate more resources in our continued effort to ensure our riders and drivers have the safest possible experience.”