The tragic crash on Kelly Drive has sparked a lawsuit against Uber and a former driver following the death of Philadelphia's Steven Tyree Moultrie, 41, in August. Police have reported that Moultrie, a Tuskegee University alumnus and member of the Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, was killed when his rideshare driver made an illegal turn, resulting in a three-vehicle collision. NBC10 Philadelphia notes that the accident occurred at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Reservoir Drive on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 3:22 p.m., where Moultrie passed away just forty minutes later at Temple University Hospital.
In a lawsuit filed by Kline & Specter, Moultrie's family alleges that Uber misrepresented the safety of its services and failed to adequately vet its drivers. According to NBC10, Uber's spokesperson responded, "While we cannot comment on pending litigation, there are no words to describe this tragic loss. Our hearts remain with the rider's loved ones." Despite the lack of comments on the ongoing litigation, Uber has removed the driver's access to their platform, as per the report obtained by NBC10.
The Philadelphia Greek community and Steven Moultrie's fraternity have deeply felt his loss. Moultrie was known for his dedication to community service and was remembered for his work in mental health and philanthropy. The Nu Sigma President, David Richardson, expresses profound loss, mentioning to FOX 29 "We greatly miss Steve right now."
Helen Lawless, an attorney working on behalf of Moultrie's family, has highlighted the importance of holding rideshare companies accountable for the safety of their services. In her statement to FOX29, she emphasized that "It is incredibly important that Mr. Moultrie’s family receive answers, receive justice and receive their compensation. Beyond that, it’s incredibly important that the rideshare industry that is now become prolific in our city, in our country, is held accountable, is held to the same standards that other transportation providers are."
The Moultrie family's legal action falls amid a broader conversation around the responsibilities of gig-economy companies and their workers' employment statuses. Uber's safety report records show that 361 people died in crashes involving the service between 2017 and 2022 in the U.S., though the company claims its fatality rate is substantially lower than the national average.
