The ride-sharing service Uber has responded to the claims made by a female passenger from Los Angeles who said she was kidnapped by one of the company's drivers, Valleywag reported.
According to the woman, who requested to remain anonymous, she hailed Uber through her smartphonefor a ride to her home after a party.
Before the car arrived, she entered her home address through the app as part of the company's services.
Once she got on the Uber car, she was surprised to notice that the driver was not following the directions to her destination. Instead, she was taken on a 20-mile trip around Los Angeles before being taken to an abandoned parking lot.
The woman tried to get out of the car but said she was locked in and couldn't open the doors. After minutes of screaming and protesting at the Uber driver, she was taken to her home. The entire ordeal lasted for over two hours.
The following morning, the woman contacted Uber to complain about her experience with one of its drivers. She then received an automated email response from the company apologizing for the inefficient route the driver took.
In addition, she received a full refund for her fare from the company.
However, according to Uber, the woman's allegations are completely inaccurate. Eva Behrend, the company's spokesperson, said the woman was heavily intoxicated when she requested for a ride, according to The Verge.
The woman then told the driver to extend the trip and drive her around town. Sensing the woman's intoxication, the driver called 911 for assistance.
"Early reports on this ride are inaccurate," Behrend said. "Based on the information we have at this time, this driver called 911 to ask for assistance with an intoxicated rider who requested an extended trip."
"However, we have refunded the rider's trip and reached out to the rider for additional information," she added.
The actual details of the situation are yet to be determined but the female passenger has already hired the services of a legal representative and is coordinating with the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate the matter, CNET reported.
