On January 4, a 48-year-old woman was out with friends when she called an Uber to take her home. One of her friends saw her get into a four-door vehicle, and, thinking it was her Uber ride, asked the driver if everything was okay.
The man, Eddie Lee Thompson, replied that everything was fine, and the victim entered the vehicle.
Unfortunately, things went very badly for the victim, who later told police the next thing she remembered was waking up in a motel room on Broadway with a man she didn’t know blocking the door. He repeatedly raped her, then forced her into a shower with him.
After getting out of the shower, he was momentarily distracted, and she was able to grab her things and run out the door. On Broadway, she flagged down drivers and the authorities were contacted. In July, police arrested Thompson, 31, on sexual battery and false imprisonment charges, based on recovered DNA evidence.
Officials with Uber say they have no record of Thompson ever driving for the company.
The victim may have a case against the motel in Riviera Beach, Florida, where she was assaulted by the assailant, if it can be proven that the manager or owner of the motel was or is aware of this malicious illegal behavior occurring on his premises.
If the lawsuit is successful, the victim could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, and pain and suffering.