In a chilling tale that’ll make you think twice about your next rideshare, a Lyft driver unwittingly became an accessory to a horrific murder in Connecticut.

A Ride with Dark Intentions

Imagine hopping into a Lyft and realizing your passenger is casually carrying an axe - yeah, not exactly the ride-share experience anyone signs up for. In December 2022, that’s exactly what went down when Ewen Dewitt called a Lyft, brandishing a “long brown axe” and apparently looking super aggressive.

The Legal Battle Begins

Now Lyft is facing a lawsuit from the family of Julie Minogue, the victim who was brutally murdered in her own home while her young children watched in horror. The federal judge handling the case has some pretty strong words for the rideshare giant, essentially suggesting that the driver’s actions might have directly contributed to the crime.

Dewitt, who pleaded guilty and received a 40-year sentence, didn’t exactly go quietly. During sentencing, he went on an expletive-laden rant that would make a sailor blush, telling a prosecutor to “rot in hell”.

Corporate Responsibility on Trial

The lawsuit argues that the Lyft driver had multiple opportunities to prevent the tragedy - like, ya know, calling the police when a passenger is wielding an axe and acting super sketchy. Lyft’s defense? A classic “not our problem” approach, arguing they have no duty to protect third parties.

While most wrongful death cases against Lyft have involved murdered drivers, this case might just set a precedent for corporate accountability in ridesharing. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t your typical commute gone wrong.