Lyft Driver Pulls Gun On Couple, Spews Anti-Gay Slurs
It has not been a good week for Lyft.
Back in September in the North Halsted neighborhood of Chicago, two men called a Lyft, but when driver Jaleesa Rance picked them up, they didn't make it far before she pulled a gun on them and made them get out of the vehicle.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, once Rance pulled the car over she got out and pointed her gun at Charlie Calvin, one of the men, yelling, “I’ll blast you,” and using a gay slur. Officers took Rance into custody shortly after the incident, but the officers reported she had a valid concealed carry permit.
Now Calvin and the second man have filed a lawsuit related to the incident. They are seeking more than $300,000 in damages from the driver and the ridesharing company. An attorney for Calvin said the argument began after the men told Rance she had made a wrong turn.
“The safety of the Lyft community is our top priority, and we have a strict no weapons policy for both drivers and passengers,” Lyft spokeswoman Alexandra LaManna said in a statement after Rance was arrested.
“We have reached out to the passenger and deactivated the driver in question while we look into this matter, and stand ready to assist law enforcement in any investigation,” added LaManna.
The filing of the lawsuit comes one day after news spread that a driver forced RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Aja and her boyfriend to exit their Lyft after the two kissed.
“Me and Aja were told to get out a Lyft for being gay. Not kidding,” tweeted Lizard Lemon. “The driver asked us to leave after kissing. In New York City. Really really disappointing.”
Stay safe out there, Lyftees.