HOLLYWOOD, FL — A routine Uber ride took a frightening turn when a driver allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at her passengers in Hollywood, Florida. The driver, Jennifer Benitez, 23, has since been arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, authorities said Tuesday.
Incident Escalates After Disagreement Over Directions
The troubling event occurred on May 12, when Benitez picked up two women in Miami and began driving them to an apartment complex in Hollywood. According to the arrest affidavit, tension began early in the ride. One passenger said Benitez was “hostile and rude” from the very start.
As they neared the destination, the passenger directed Benitez to make a left turn into her apartment complex. Benitez reportedly snapped back, yelling, “I know, that’s why I have a GPS,” before making an aggressive left turn. This sparked a verbal argument inside the vehicle.
Passengers Ordered Out and Gun Pulled
The situation escalated quickly when Benitez stopped the car just before reaching the apartment. The affidavit states she ordered the two passengers to exit the vehicle. When they resisted and the argument grew heated, Benitez pulled a gun from the center console and pointed it at them.
One passenger captured part of the terrifying interaction on her phone, and the video shows Benitez pointing the firearm. During the recording, a passenger can be heard saying, “She got them crazy eyes,” reflecting the fear and shock felt in that moment.
Driver Calls Police But Ends Call Abruptly
Adding to the confusion, Benitez reportedly called the police during the incident, claiming her passengers refused to exit the car. However, the call ended abruptly and did not lead to immediate police intervention at the scene.
Arrest and Uber’s Response
Benitez was arrested by Port St. Lucie Police on Saturday and is currently awaiting extradition to Broward County to face charges related to the incident.
Uber responded swiftly after the video circulated on social media, stating:
“This is extremely concerning. We removed the driver’s access to the app and are continuing to investigate.”
Passenger Safety and Trust Under Scrutiny
This unsettling incident has raised serious questions about passenger safety and screening procedures for rideshare drivers. Passengers entrust their safety to drivers every day, and situations like these shake that trust profoundly.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to understand all aspects of the case, and the community is reminded to always stay vigilant when using rideshare services.
What You Should Do If You Feel Unsafe During a Ride
Safety experts advise passengers to:
- Keep doors locked and windows up if possible.
- Share your trip details with a trusted friend or family member.
- Use the in-app emergency button if you feel threatened.
- Report any suspicious or dangerous behavior to the rideshare company immediately.
Community Reacts to the Disturbing Video
Many social media users expressed shock and concern after the video surfaced, calling for stronger safety measures for passengers.
One commenter wrote, “No one should ever feel scared in their ride. Uber needs to do better.”
Moving Forward: Restoring Confidence in Rideshares
Incidents like this remind us of the importance of comprehensive driver vetting and real-time monitoring by rideshare platforms. Companies like Uber are under increasing pressure to improve safety protocols and support for riders.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
