rideshare sexual assault news Archives

A 64-year-old rideshare driver from Centreville, Virginia has been arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery after allegedly attacking a female passenger during a trip through the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax County. Authorities have identified the driver as Mohsen Moslehi-Nik, Patch.com reported. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau responded to a report of an assault in Prince William County on March 18. The victim told police she had been assaulted inside a rideshare vehicle while traveling through Fairfax County. After investigating the claim, detectives identified Moslehi-Nik as the suspect. He later turned himself in at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on Thursday and was subsequently released. Moslehi-Nik is scheduled to appear in Fairfax County General District Court on May 7 to face the misdemeanor charges. Court records show that this is not Moslehi-Nik’s first brush with the law. In 2021, he was arrested in Fairfax County on a separate misdemeanor assault and battery charge. However, that case was later dropped after prosecutors declined to pursue the charges. Police have not disclosed which rideshare company Moslehi-Nik was driving for at the time of the alleged assault. The lack of identification is notable, as both Uber and Lyft are currently facing extensive litigation involving claims of sexual assault by drivers. Nearly 2,000 lawsuits have been filed against Uber in federal court, alleging that the company failed to conduct adequate background checks, ignored prior complaints, and deceptively marketed the platform as safe. These cases have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Plaintiffs argue that Uber allowed dangerous drivers to remain active and failed to warn riders of risks. Separately, Lyft has also been sued by hundreds of riders in various state courts across the U.S., many of whom allege similar negligence in hiring, oversight, and response to sexual assault reports. These lawsuits claim that Lyft failed to implement sufficient safety protocols and knowingly allowed repeat offenders to continue working on the platform. As the number of legal actions grows, survivors and advocates are pushing for stronger safety measures, including more rigorous driver screenings, real-time monitoring, and better support for victims. Both rideshare giants have rolled out safety updates in response to mounting public pressure, but critics say these measures are long overdue and insufficient. Fairfax County authorities urge anyone who may have experienced unlawful contact with Moslehi-Nik to come forward. Individuals with information can contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 (option 3), submit an anonymous tip through Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), visiting the Crime Solvers website, or using the “P3 Tips” app. Anonymous tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. Victim specialists from the department’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to support the survivor involved in this case and ensure she has access to appropriate resources. If you or someone you know has experienced assault or misconduct during a rideshare trip, you may have legal rights. SurvivorsRights.com can help connect you with attorneys who specialize in holding rideshare companies accountable. Visit our Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuits page to share your experience and explore your legal options confidentially.

rideshare sexual assault news

Virginia Rideshare Driver Charged With Assaulting Passenger in Fair Lakes Area

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rideshare sexual assault news

Virginia Rideshare Driver Charged With Assaulting Passenger in Fair Lakes Area

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