One of three Uber passengers seen in a viral video, allegedly assaulting the driver because of a problem with the mask in San Francisco last weekend, was arrested, and another plans to surrender, officials said on Thursday.
Malaysia King, 24, was arrested in Las Vegas on Thursday, San Francisco police said. Arna Kimiai, who is also 24, has communicated through her lawyer that she plans to surrender, officials added.
King, Kimiai and a third woman were picked up by the Uber driver, identified as Subhakar Khadka, 32, on Sunday. Khadka ended the trip a few minutes later, after realizing that one of the passengers was not wearing a mask, in accordance with state and local public health orders for COVID-19, the San Francisco police wrote in a press release.
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A camera inside Khadka’s vehicle recorded the altercation, which went viral. In the video, one of the passengers is seen cursing and coughing in the driver’s direction. The same passenger then picks up the driver’s cell phone before he takes it back, shows the video.
“What will you do?” the woman is heard screaming before grabbing Khadka’s mask and throwing it in the front seat, according to the video. The suspects then leave the car, but another passenger reaches an open window and spreads what appears to be pepper spray on the vehicle towards the driver, police said. The suspects then flee the scene.
In the statement, San Francisco police lieutenant Tracy McCray said she expects Kimiai to surrender “promptly”.
“The behavior captured on video in this incident showed a cruel disregard for the safety and well-being of an essential service worker in the midst of a deadly pandemic. We take this conduct very seriously in San Francisco and are committed to ensuring that justice is done in this case, “said McCray.
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The pilot claims he was targeted because of his race and immigration status. A fundraising campaign was launched to help pay for cleaning your car after the incident, FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported.
King faces charges of assault with a caustic chemical, assault and battery, conspiracy and violation of the health and safety code, police said.
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Uber and Lyft both prohibited the passenger seen coughing on the driver.
“The behavior seen in the video is terrible. The driver no longer has access to Uber,” the company said in an email to KPIX-TV in San Francisco.