Calling a ride after drinking is the smart move. Turning that ride into chaos is not.
A night out ended with an arrest after deputies say an intoxicated passenger became aggressive inside a rideshare vehicle, was removed from the trip, and later found stumbling near a highway.
Deputies were dispatched to meet an Uber driver at Walmart after the driver reported a passenger had become aggressive toward her and another person in the vehicle, according to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Dispatch advised the passenger had been dropped off along U.S. Route 52 before deputies arrived.
Officers searched the area and found the man crossing the highway median near the 17-mile marker.
According to the report, he could barely stand, smelled strongly of alcohol, and appeared highly intoxicated. He reportedly asked deputies where he was after being stopped.
Because of his condition and the danger of walking impaired near traffic, deputies placed him under arrest and transported him from the scene.
Officers then met with the rideshare driver and passenger assistant.
They reported picking the man up in Huntington after he had been at a bar. During the trip, they said he became violent, interfered with the driver, shoved the assistant, struck him in the arm, and touched the driver after being told to stop.
The man was taken to jail, and charges were pursued.
Yes, Use Uber or Lyft If You’ve Been Drinking — But It’s Not a Free Pass
Using Uber or Lyft instead of driving drunk is absolutely the better choice.
But some riders act like getting in a rideshare means:
- No rules
- No consequences
- No need to control themselves
That’s wrong.
Drivers are workers, not babysitters, bouncers, or punching bags.
The best move is to manage your behavior before you’re too drunk to make good decisions.
When Drivers Can End the Ride or Toss You Out
Drivers are generally allowed to end a trip if a rider:
- Becomes aggressive or threatening
- Touches the driver or passengers
- Tries to interfere with driving
- Vomits or creates a safety hazard
- Refuses instructions
- Makes the driver feel unsafe
They may pull over in a safe public place, ask the rider to exit, and contact police if necessary.
They are not expected to continue transporting someone who is violent or dangerous.
The Real Lesson
Calling a ride was the right decision.
Everything after that was the wrong one.
If you know you’re drinking:
- Pace yourself
- Know your limit
- Respect the driver
- Keep your hands to yourself
- Get home quietly
Because the goal of an Uber ride is to avoid jail — not end there.
