After a Lyft driver was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the side of Highway 94 Friday night while helping a sick passenger, other Lyft drivers say it’s a dangerous situation that’s all too familiar to them.
Like many other late night drivers, Reyes was likely dealing with a passenger who had too much to drink.
“I’ve literally pushed their head out the window,” Lyft driver Angelika Jaehn said of her own experiences with drunk passengers. “I did pull over just last week, over on the 8. I will never do that again.”
Jaehn told NBC 7 that seven of her relatives are Lyft drivers, including her pregnant daughter. Several of them are now considering changing their driving habits because of this weekend’s crash.
“Some of them are not going to work as many hours,” she said.
People who are unfamiliar with ride hailing services like Lyft might feel uncomfortable jumping into a car with a complete stranger, but often it’s the driver who is most at risk.
Lyft driver John said he tries to avoid picking up intoxicated riders altogether.
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“It is a risk. Just cause I don't know who they are and don't know what they're capable of and don't know what type of day they've had,” he said.
John, who has been driving with Lyft for a year, said he also tries to not pick up passengers too late.
“If they get sick, you know what let them get sick in the car,” Jaehn said. “You can clean it, you can't bring back life.”
