An Uber driver in Blacksburg, Virginia, experienced a frightening encounter recently after dropping off a passenger. Andy Earthman, a seasoned professional driver, was shocked by the violent incident that took place on December 19.
Despite having driven hundreds of thousands of miles without incident, Earthman found himself being pursued by another motorist who believed he had been cut off. The entire confrontation was recorded on his dashcam.
Describing the attack, Earthman recounted feeling terrified as the other driver approached his vehicle. “I was in complete flight mode,” he said, explaining that he felt vulnerable due to the significant size difference between him and the assailant. While Earthman is nearly 60 years old and weighs 170 pounds, the attacker was much younger and weighed around 300 pounds.
Earthman retraced his route, explaining that he had to maneuver through heavy traffic while making a left turn. He noticed the driver following him closely and attempted to apologize to his passenger for the abrupt turn.
After dropping off his passenger, Earthman was confronted by the other driver, who hit his car and blocked his door. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in the attacker punching Earthman in the face and trying to pull him from his vehicle.
After managing to escape, Earthman contacted the Blacksburg Police Department but expressed frustration at the lack of updates on the investigation. He believes the assailant should be arrested and prosecuted so he can obtain a restraining order for his safety.
Since the attack, Earthman has decided to stop driving for Uber. The police confirmed that they are looking into the incident but did not provide further details.