CEO of Biotechnology Sues Uber Following Assault by Driver
The CEO of TC Biopharm, Bryan Kobel, has initiated legal action against Uber after an incident involving one of its drivers, who is reportedly an undocumented immigrant. This altercation took place in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to Kobel, the confrontation occurred after he had a disagreement with the driver, Vadim Nikolaevich Uliumdzhiev, who is originally from Russia. Surveillance footage from a Charleston parking lot reveals a 42-year-old Uliumdzhiev, who was holding a dog, engaging in a physical attack on Kobel, who was dressed in a plaid shirt. The video captures Uliumdzhiev delivering a powerful punch that knocked Kobel unconscious, leaving him incapacitated on the ground.
Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin disclosed that Uliumdzhiev had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California back in December 2022, but was later released under the Biden administration.
McLaughlin further emphasized that ICE is actively pursuing illegal immigrants like Uliumdzhiev for arrests and deportation. She mentioned, “An ICE hold was placed on him to prevent him from being released into American communities to harm others.” She also pointed out that under previous administration policies, consequences for illegal activities were typical.
Kobel recounted that Uliumdzhiev refused the ride request due to the presence of his dog. When Kobel indicated that he would cancel the ride, the situation escalated, leading to Uliumdzhiev attacking him. As a result of the assault, Kobel sustained a serious concussion and had to receive seven staples for a head wound.
“This guy attacked me without warning, and I ended up bleeding in the parking lot,” Kobel explained. “When I finally got out of the hospital, I found my Uber account was suspended, and within two days, it was permanently disabled. Despite providing hospital records and police documentation, Uber has vilified me instead of taking responsibility.”
Court documents reveal that Uliumdzhiev was later arrested and released after posting a $10,000 bond for charges related to assault and battery. Additionally, Charleston police informed Kobel that the driver had been using a counterfeit license.
Kobel asserted that Uber needs to take greater responsibility for its drivers, expressing concerns that the current situation fosters unsafe conditions. “They are opening the door to chaos,” he remarked.
Recently, Uber has acknowledged an uptick in violence associated with its drivers and is reportedly considering stricter background checks for those seeking employment with the company.
In a broader context, some political actions have aimed to increase job eligibility for undocumented individuals with companies like Uber and DoorDash. For instance, policies in New York have made it easier for undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
