What was supposed to be a quick late‑night Lyft ride on Detroit's west side turned into a rollover wreck early Sunday, and two women in their early 20s say the driver had been drinking with them right before the crash.
The passengers say they were heading home after a night of drinking when the Lyft driver pulled a bottle from the door, offered them a shot and then later lost control of the car. The vehicle slammed into a parked SUV and flipped, according to their account, leaving the women injured and shaken.
Neighbors rushed outside when they heard the impact and recorded the aftermath as the mangled vehicle sat in the street. The riders say they have already filed a police report and reported the ride through the Lyft app while they recover and look for attorneys.
Passengers' Account To FOX 2
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the two 20‑year‑olds told the station they had been drinking before they requested the Lyft and that the driver offered them alcohol during the ride, asking, "Do you want a shot?" They said he then pulled out a bottle from the door.
One passenger, Latasha, told FOX 2 she remembers the car flipping twice after it hit a parked SUV. The women showed the reporter the ride order, driver name and the route, and said they had already notified both police and Lyft about what happened.
How Lyft Responds To Safety Reports
According to Lyft, the company offers in‑app safety tools and access to a 24/7 Trust & Safety team for riders and drivers, and investigators can follow up when an incident is reported.
Lyft lists features such as optional audio recording, real‑time location sharing and Smart Trip monitoring, which the company says can detect unusual trip activity and prompt outreach from its safety team.
Drunk Driving In Michigan
According to the Michigan State Police's 2024 Drunk Driving Audit, about 40.7 percent of traffic‑crash fatalities in the state involved alcohol or drugs, underscoring how frequently impairment is a factor in deadly collisions. The annual audit compiles crash and arrest data from across Michigan to help officials track trends and enforcement.
Legal Note
According to Michigan courts' benchbook, prosecutors can seek operating‑while‑intoxicated charges under MCL 257.625, with enhanced penalties if impairment leads to serious injury or death. Criminal and civil outcomes depend on the evidence collected by law enforcement, which can include breath or blood tests, witness accounts and app data or video.
The two passengers say they filed police reports and are waiting to hear back from Lyft while they continue to seek legal counsel. They told FOX 2 Detroit the crash occurred on Linwood near Grand River on the city's west side. This story will be updated if officials or Lyft release additional information.
