Uber driver charged with abduction after rider livestreams chase

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Richmond Police have charged the Uber driver who allegedly sped through the streets with passengers in the backseat.

Olufemi S. Olomola, 38 of Marlin Drive in Henrico, was charged with two counts of abduction, reckless driving and felony hit and run for the Monday night incident.

A couple was picked up from their home just before 8 p.m. Monday. Shortly after pulling away, they said someone rear-ended their Uber on Chamberlayne Avenue.

“Our Uber attempted to pull over so that they exchange information, but the car didn't stop behind us. They went around us and sped off and that's when our Uber sped off behind him,” Swann recalled.

Murray began to stream their trip on Facebook Live from the backseat.

The Uber driver then pulls onto West Broad Street and races through several more red lights, according to the video. The couple said an SUV then crashed into the side of their car at West Broad St. and Arthur Ashe Blvd. The video showed the driver continuing to speed away narrowly missing a bicyclist.

“At approximately 8:15 p.m. on Monday, officers were called to the 2800 block of West Broad Street for the report of a hit and run. Officers arrived and spoke to the driver who reported that while transporting passengers, his vehicle was struck by another car and that car left the scene,” according to a police spokesperson.

The couple says they suffered minor bruises and were checked out at the hospital.