An Uber driver viciously attacked by a woman in St. Petersburg, Florida is speaking out about the wild incident.
Michael Hassey Jr., 22, said he responded to a ride request Saturday evening in front of Cask Social Kitchen in Tampa. That was the beginning of of a terrifying experience for him.
“When I first pulled up to pick up the rider, a young group of women approached the car and one of them said ‘I called an Uber for my mother, can you please get her home safe?'” Hassey told News Channel 8. The driver said the passenger, 55-year-old Michele Stilwell, was asleep most of the ride.
When Hassey was nearing her home, that's when Stilwell "sprouted up" and became violent, according to reporters.
"She started screaming curse words at me and slapped me in the face," Hassey said. Reporters said they watched the video, which allegedly showed Stilwell screaming "My daughter!" while scratching, strangling and biting Hassey.
"She sinks into my neck like a pitbull, shaking her head and stuff," Hassey recalled. He was reportedly shown not fighting back either. "I let it happen. I didn’t put my hands back on her because I have two sisters and I was raised to never put my hands on a female."
The driver said he was able to stop the car and break free. He also said his employer hasn't reached out to him since the incident.
"Uber has not done a single thing or communicated with me about this incident," Hassey said. He told reporters he does welding for a living and only drove for the company to earn extra money. "My biggest takeaway is I would stay away from Uber."
Here's what an Uber spokesperson said about the attack:
“What’s been described is disturbing. Violence of any kind is not tolerated on the Uber app, and we immediately removed the rider’s access as soon as this was reported to us.”
Stilwell was booked into jail on two felony charges of aggravated battery and tampering with a witness following the incident. She made bond and was released.
"Her neighbors said the attack was out of character for their neighbor who they say is a nurse," News Channel 8 learned. "The Department of Health does have a woman by her name with an active nursing license."
Photo: Getty Images, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office