by Frisco, TX – A Collin County jury has convicted Robert Johnson III, a 33-year-old Uber driver, for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in the Frisco area. The victim’s mother has come forward expressing her heartache and determination to prevent such incidents from happening to any other child.
The assault occurred while the girl was being transported by Uber Health from a pediatric mental health facility in Frisco. What was assumed to be a safe ride turned into a nightmare when the driver deviated from the route and committed the assault.
The Harrowing Incident and Legal Outcome
According to court testimony, Johnson was supposed to drive the girl straight home. Instead, prosecutors revealed he stopped twice in parking lots to assault her. The victim later confided to her mother that she was terrified because “he knew where we lived.”
After his initial arrest, Johnson cut off his ankle monitor and went missing. Authorities in Collin County issued a “be on the lookout” alert until his capture six months later in Houston following a confrontation with police.
Recently, the jury sentenced Johnson to a eight-year prison term for sexual assault of a child.
Uber Policies and Safety Concerns
Uber’s policy explicitly prohibits unaccompanied minors from riding alone. Their website states that trips must be requested by someone aged 18 or older, which raises questions about how such an incident occurred under the Uber Health service.
“Why did they have the policy? Well, we allege they had the policy because of all the statistics they themselves have acknowledged and published about thousands of sexual assaults,” said the family’s attorney, Robert Greening.
The victim’s mother has filed a civil lawsuit against Uber seeking stronger safety protocols. She reflected, “I should have done more research. I should have looked into it more. Turned out to be a nightmare.”
Rideshare Assault Statistics: A Troubling Reality
- Uber reported 12,522 sexual assaults in the U.S. from 2017 to 2022.
- Lyft, Uber’s major competitor, reported about 6,809 assaults in the same period.
- Together, nearly 20,000 such incidents were disclosed over six years.
- These incidents represent a small fraction of total rides, but there are concerns about significant underreporting.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted the limited nature of publicly available statistics due to underreporting by riders and drivers. It stressed the actual extent of assaults might be higher than reported, citing multiple federal databases with incomplete data.
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“I’d say one sexual assault is too many,” said attorney Robert Greening.
For more detailed information, please visit the source report.
Legislative Efforts and Advocacy for Change
Colorado State Representative Jenny Willford introduced a bill mandating annual safety reports for rideshare companies, enhanced driver background checks, and in-car video recording. Her motivation was personal, having survived a rideshare assault herself.
Despite bipartisan support, the bill was vetoed by Governor Jared Polis after strong opposition from Uber and Lyft, citing concern that the companies might leave the state.
“It is frustrating… a David and Goliath battle,” Willford expressed about fighting big tech for safer ridesharing.
Company Responses and Safety Advancements
Uber confirmed their commitment to safety and outlined steps taken since the incident:
- Reinforcement of strict policies against unaccompanied minors.
- Introduction of new safety features for riders without the Uber app, including 911 integration that sends trip details directly to dispatchers.
- Three-way texting capabilities between rider, driver, and ride coordinator.
- Refinement of criteria for Uber Health drivers.
Lyft also emphasized their zero-tolerance stance toward violence and continued investment in safety technology and policies.
How Riders Can Protect Themselves
- Verify driver information such as license plate and photo before entering the vehicle.
- Share trip details in real time with a trusted contact.
- Prefer sitting in the back seat, especially behind the driver.
- End the ride immediately and report through the app if anything feels unsafe.
- Use in-app emergency buttons to connect directly to 911.
- Consider women-driver-only services or safety companion apps if available.
The mother of the victim urges other parents and guardians to be vigilant: “The reason she’s testifying is she doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
What do you think about rideshare safety and the recent conviction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
