A rideshare service ride took a dangerous turn in Seekonk, Massachusetts, as an Uber driver was assaulted by her passenger, who now faces multiple charges including kidnapping and assault with intent to rape. The incident occurred last Saturday, according to a report by NBC Boston. Seekonk Police responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash at around 1:35 a.m. at the intersection of County Street and Arrowhead Road, where they found a vehicle on a residential property's lawn.
Upon arriving, officers contacted the female driver, who stated that she was attacked by a male passenger, later identified as 25-year-old James D. Oakes from Seekonk. The encounter began as a standard pickup from North Seekonk, with the destination set for South Seekonk. However, during the ride, Oakes allegedly provided a different address, leading the driver down a long, unlit driveway against her original judgment. It was here that the suspect began his assault, according to TurnTo10.
The police statement detailed that the victim, despite being assaulted, managed to place the vehicle in drive and escape down the road, even as the attack continued. The car eventually stopped on the lawn of a residence, and Oakes is accused of stealing the Uber driver's cell phone before fleeing on foot. The driver's subsequent honking drew attention from a local resident who called police, leading to rapid law enforcement involvement and an investigation.
Following police investigation, Oakes was arrested yesterday without incident. He is charged with strangulation or suffocation, kidnapping, assault with intent to rape, assault and battery, unarmed robbery, intimidation of a witness and interfering with a rideshare driver. Details regarding his bail or arraignment have not been released as of this writing.
