A Uber driver in New York captured in a viral video in which a passenger went on an expletive-laden rant has explained his own side of the story.
In the dash cam video, the passenger can be heard using expressions like “fuck you, bitch” and “dickhead” while speaking to the driver, who remained calm.
The video shared by popular Twitter account, Clown World on Monday, has been viewed over 1.1 million times.
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) April 3, 2023
The driver, who identified himself as Artur, said he is an immigrant from Georgia.
He said he picked up the passenger on August 26, 2021, and, in adherence to Uber’s regulations, asked her to wear a mask.
Artur said that instead of obeying the regulation, the passenger began to scream and asked him to end the trip.
He disclosed that Uber deactivated his account over the incident.
“My name is Artur. I would like to share my story about this dash cam video that has gone viral.
“I am an immigrant from Georgia, I was a driver for Uber during the Covid period. My English is not good so I had someone help me write this statement,” the driver said.
He added, “I was driving for UBER. During that time Uber instructed all drivers that all riders must wear a mask.
“I picked up this rider and told her she needs to wear a mask; she started to scream at me and told me to end the trip.
“The next day I was deactivated by Uber,” the driver said.
Artur’s explanation got many internet users riled up against Uber for deactivating the driver’s account, noting that an investigation would have exonerated the driver.
This is awful. @Uber @Uber_Support I hope you have since reactivated this man’s account.
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) April 4, 2023
If @Uber can't see this man did NOTHING wrong, but everything right, you have no right conducting business. Absolutely abhorrent, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
— Brooke (@brackmea9) April 3, 2023
@Uber you need to reactivate this man’s account. It’s obvious that the male passenger was in the wrong.
— Carlos $_2 (@BkindCarlos) April 3, 2023