Teen Arrested After Scuffle with Uber Driver Over Dog Leads to Carjacking
A teenager in Washington, D.C. found himself in hot water on Wednesday after a dog-related disagreement with an Uber driver took a bizarre turn, resulting in a carjacking. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the incident unfolded at around 7 a.m. on Sunday in the 300 block of Eastern Avenue, Northeast.
The trouble began when 19-year-old Dax Franco Willis tried to bring his dog along for the Uber ride. The driver, however, informed Willis that pets, including his furry friend, weren’t allowed in the car. That’s when things took an unexpected twist.
Willis, apparently not pleased with the driver’s no-pets policy, threatened to use pepper spray on her. Things quickly escalated from there, with Willis allegedly assaulting the driver, forcibly removing her from the vehicle, snatching her phone, and making a swift escape in her car.
The police didn’t take long to step in. After releasing dashcam images of Willis to the public in hopes of identifying him, he was apprehended the following day and slapped with charges of unarmed carjacking and robbery.
Uber, the ridesharing company in the middle of this strange incident, has yet to comment on the matter. Uber’s policy requires drivers to accept passengers traveling with service animals, but it’s a different story when it comes to non-service animals. In those cases, it’s advisable to contact the driver in advance and let them know about the four-legged companion.
And for those who don’t want to leave their pets behind, Uber offers an option called Uber Pet. This allows passengers to bring one pet along, for an extra fee, ensuring both you and your furry friend can enjoy the ride together. 🐶