Lyft Sued After Driver Accused Of Rape, Kidnapping

CHICAGO, IL — A woman filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing a Lyft driver of sexually assaulting her and the company of fraud and negligence. Angelo McCoy, 48, was driving for Lyft when he picked the woman up around 11 p.m. July 7, according to the lawsuit. The woman fell asleep after getting in the vehicle, and McCoy pulled into an alley on Chicago's North Side, the suit claims.

McCoy used zip ties to bind her hands and threatened the woman with a knife before repeatedly sexually assaulting her, according to the lawsuit.

The suit claims the woman escaped when McCoy stopped at a busy intersection, and reported the incident to Lyft and police.

McCoy faces multiple charges, including aggravated criminal sexual assault, unlawful restraint and kidnapping, police said. He's being held at Cook County Jail in lieu of $900,000 bail.

A Lyft spokesperson said the pending litigation prevents the company from commenting on the lawsuit. Before the suit was launched, Lyft issued the following statement: "These allegations are sickening and horrifying. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we deactivated the driver's account and did everything we could to assist law enforcement. Our concern is with the victim and her well-being. We stand ready to assist law enforcement in their investigation."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the woman claims Lyft markets itself as a safe way for intoxicated women to get home safely, and she says the company conceals information about its drivers assaulting many passengers, according to the suit.

The suit also names Sterling Talent Solutions, which conducted McCoy's background check for Lyft. The woman seeks unspecified damages against both companies and McCoy.

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Angelo McCoy. Image via Chicago Police Department