Uber driver deactivated after wrong-way incident on Chicago expressway

Elyse Madrid and a friend found themselves trapped in a moving vehicle on Saturday around 2:30 a.m. when their Uber driver began driving in the wrong direction. The pair had ordered a ride in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago to reach Stardust Karaoke Bar at 710 N. Clark Street before closing time.

Madrid said she noticed the incorrect direction of travel shortly after the trip began. She observed the driver press the red button on the dashboard to cancel the ride. When she questioned the action, the driver claimed his phone was malfunctioning or that his sister had canceled the reservation. Madrid rejected the explanation and told the driver to pull over.

The car stopped on Randolph Street near the Kennedy Expressway. Madrid and her friend exited the vehicle. The driver then accelerated away at a speed Madrid estimated between 40 and 50 miles per hour. She saw a police cruiser pursue the vehicle as it turned a corner. The app listed the drop-off address on Hubbard Street, but the car ended up on Randolph Street.

Madrid filed a police report to document the incident. She described the event as a scary turn that triggered memories of a previous assault in a cab last August. She expressed concern for other riders who might encounter the same driver in the future. Madrid noted that she did not use Uber's Woman Drivers option or SOS feature during the trip. She stated that using those tools might have delayed her ability to exit the car.

Uber reviewed the case after Madrid submitted her police report through a company link. The rideshare company stated that the reported situation is deeply distressing. A spokesperson said the driver’s access to the platform has been removed. Uber confirmed it is continuing to look into the incident. The company stated it has reached out to police and will support their investigation in any way it can.

The driver’s account is now deactivated. Madrid hopes the report will bring awareness to the safety of late-night riders. The investigation into the driver's actions is ongoing with local police.