Reports from Atlanta concerning an incident involving Tabisa Turner, an NBA and WNBA reporter, indicate that she was pepper sprayed and assaulted by an Uber driver. This altercation reportedly took place on the highway, and it has since escalated into online threats directed at her.
Turner, who covers the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream, was picked up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday by driver Nicole Smith. “I just wanted to go home from work and see my daughter. Now there’s this threat,” she shared at a press conference on Wednesday, expressing her disbelief at the situation.
She had selected an Uber ride that promised comfort, allowing her to specify features like the interior temperature. According to her lawyers, she opted for a “cool” ride with the windows up and air conditioning on.
However, her lawyer, Miguel Dominquez, noted that it quickly became clear this wasn’t what she was getting. “She entered the car expecting comfort, but instead, there was no air conditioning and the windows were open while it was 90 degrees outside.”
As Smith drove northbound on I-85, Turner requested that the driver close the windows and turn on the air conditioning to align with her request. Dominquez mentioned that the driver seemed angered by this simple request, and she pulled over to the emergency lane, instructing Turner to exit the vehicle.
The driver justified her refusal to close the windows by claiming it was a precaution in case passengers felt unwell. In response, Turner began recording the interaction on her phone, informing Smith that she wouldn’t leave the car until she received a refund and the police were involved.
Footage shows the heated exchange, where Smith suddenly turned and sprayed Turner in the face before getting out of the car and allegedly assaulting her.
Witnesses began documenting the confrontation, and their recordings were later reviewed by investigators, leading to an arrest warrant for Smith on charges including battery.
Dominquez emphasized the unreasonable nature of Smith’s demands during such a dangerous situation, noting, “It’s not safe to expect passengers to just take their bags and leave by the side of the highway.”
In a controversial turn, Smith took to social media, claiming that she acted in self-defense because Turner allegedly had a weapon. This assertion gained traction, racking up over a million views. Turner responded to the social media harassment, indicating that she faced threats and accusations following the incident.
“I’m being threatened and insulted online. They’re calling me all sorts of names, questioning my character,” Turner stated, explaining how deeply personal the attacks felt, especially as a new mother.
Having welcomed her first child in May 2024, she reflected on the implications of the incident. “I like to take my one-year-old daughter to games, but now I’m worried about my safety and who might be around.”
She expressed her gratitude towards the WNBA’s Dream for providing her with additional security after the incident.
While Dominquez described this event as isolated, he alluded to a possible pattern regarding the vetting process for Uber drivers. “What we might discover is a trend where riders are charged for a certain quality of service.”
The situation prompted Uber to be contacted for a response.
