Uber Driver Arrested for Alleged Rape of Intoxicated Passenger
An Uber driver in Kentucky, identified as Clifford E. Partin, 61, has been accused of raping a passenger who had passed out drunk during a ride home from a party. The incident took place in Richmond in August, where the driver picked up the woman because she was too intoxicated to drive herself.
According to reports obtained by the Lexington Herald-Ledger, the victim passed out shortly after the ride began, and while she was unconscious, Partin allegedly drove to a secluded spot hidden by bushes and raped her.
The woman later woke up in a parking lot and demanded to be driven home. Fearful of revealing her address to the driver, she asked to be dropped off nearby and ran the rest of the way home.
After seeking medical evaluation, the victim contacted the police. GPS data from Uber corroborated her account of the incident, and surveillance footage showed the vehicle parked in the secluded spot for approximately 25 minutes.
Partin eventually confessed to the crime during a polygraph test, according to law enforcement officials. He has been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy of a person unable to consent.
The suspect was taken into custody at the Madison County Detention Center and is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of passenger safety and the need for stringent background checks and monitoring of rideshare drivers to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that passengers, especially vulnerable individuals, may face while using ride-hailing services.
