A rideshare driver was arrested in Washington state after he was allegedly caught in the act of sexually assaulting a highly intoxicated female passenger. The victim's father discovered the assault and intervened, leading to an altercation and gunfire.
Thurston County, Washington - Authorities in Washington state are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Saturday night after a father caught a rideshare driver allegedly sexually assaulting his daughter while she was "highly intoxicated," according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.
Rideshare Driver Arrested After Alleged Sexual Assault of Intoxicated Passenger in Washington
Early Saturday morning, deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a weapons violation in Nisqually Valley. Upon arriving at the scene, a deputy stopped a vehicle that was attempting to flee and noticed that the driver was injured.
During their investigation, deputies also located two shell casings in the vicinity of the scene.
Rideshare Driver Arrested After Alleged Sexual Assault of Intoxicated Passenger in Washington
Detectives determined that the driver who was trying to leave the scene was a rideshare driver who had provided transportation to a "highly intoxicated female."
According to officials, the father of the woman discovered his daughter allegedly being sexually assaulted by the rideshare driver at a well-known fishing spot. Police said that at some point during an altercation, shots were fired.
Rideshare Driver Arrested After Alleged Sexual Assault of Intoxicated Passenger in Washington
The rideshare driver was transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the incident.
Police later arrested the rideshare driver on charges of rape in the second degree and kidnapping.
The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate the incident and has not released the names of those involved. The rideshare driver is currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of rideshare passengers, particularly those who may be intoxicated. Authorities are urging riders to be aware of their surroundings and to take precautions when using rideshare services.
Riders are advised to:
* Always share your location and ride information with a trusted friend or family member.
* Ride in the front seat of the vehicle.
* Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings.
* Trust your instincts and report any suspicious behavior to the driver or authorities.
* Use the rideshare app's safety features, such as the emergency call button.
Rideshare companies have also been urged to implement stricter safety measures to protect passengers, including background checks on drivers and increased monitoring of ride activity.
