Woman suing Uber after sex assault by driver

BRIDGEPORT — A Milford woman who was sexually assaulted by her Uber driver last year is suing the ridesharing company.

In what appears to be a first of its kind lawsuit filed in the state, the woman, whose name is being withheld, claims Uber falsely advertised itself as providing a safe ride and did not warn prospective passengers of the dangers of using Uber despite incidents of drivers sexually assaulting passengers around the country.

“Uber markets itself to women as a safe way to travel. Unfortunately, many women around the country have found their rides to have been anything but safe. Uber needs to do a better job of protecting women passengers and making sure that they are not sexually assaulted by their drivers,” said the woman’s lawyer, Douglas Mahoney.

The lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court in Milford, claims that Uber failed to have any devices in the car that could have prevented the assault, such as a panic button. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

“The plaintiff has sustained and will continue to sustain for the remainder of her life physical and emotional injury, mental and emotional suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life’s activities,” the suit states.

Uber did not respond to emails seeking comment.

Last June, Wael Salem, 50, of Linsley Lake Road, Branford, who was charged with fourthdegree sexual assault, thirddegree assault and disorderly conduct, was granted accelerated rehabilitation on the sex assault and assault charges and then pleaded guilty to breach of peace.

Under accelerated rehabilitation, a program for nonviolent offenders, Salem did not plead guilty to the sex assault and assault charges but was placed on two years’ probation by the judge. If he commits no other crimes during that probation the charges will be dismissed.

On the breach of peace charge, the judge sentenced Salem to a suspended 6month term followed by a year of probation.

In November 2018, the 22yearold Milford woman told police she had summoned an Uber to pick her and two girlfriends up at a club on Main Street in Bridgeport and take her home.

State police said while they were driving southbound on Interstate 95, Salem began to admire the woman’s chest and asked her about her bra size.

He then reached over and grabbed her chest, telling her it felt nice, police said.

When the woman protested, state police said Salem grabbed her chest again, giving it a twist and causing the woman’s piercing to bleed.

Salem dropped the three women off but before leaving gave the victim’s chest another squeeze and told her good night, police said.

State police said when they later confronted Salem with the woman’s allegations, he told them that the three women had been discussing their chest sizes while riding in his car but he denied touching any of them.