Uber driver speaks out after being pepper sprayed by passenger
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- An Uber driver is speaking out after he was blindsided and pepper sprayed by a woman earlier this week.
Shohel Mahmud picked up Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, and a friend on West 46th Street, but once they got near East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue, Guilbeault lunged forward from the backseat and started spraying Mahmud for no reason.
The shocking incident was caught on video.
"Yes, the burning lasted two hours," said Mahmud.
Seconds after being sprayed, Mahmud tried to get out of the car but still had his seatbelt on.
"I'm kind of hanging out of the car, so I take my buckle off, close my eyes, and get out and then I realized my car was still running," he said. "I jumped in and put in park and got out."
Mahmud insists he hadn't said a word to the women.
"The rider's actions shown in the video are deplorable," said an Uber spokesperson. "Violence is not tolerated, and the rider has been banned from the Uber platform. We will support police in their investigation however we can."
Guilbeault -- who has a background in PR -- was arrested and charged with assault. Her roommate told Eyewitness News she had no idea about the incident, but has been in touch with her since.
Mahmud acknowledged the ordeal has hurt him financially, as he is the breadwinner of his family who currently lives in Bangladesh.
Guilbeault's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
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