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Former Dallas Uber driver arrested for hitting elderly passenger on video

Former Dallas Uber driver arrested for hitting elderly passenger on video

Uber driver arrested for hitting elderly passenger

A former Uber driver was arrested after he was seen on video punching an elderly passenger who had canceled his ride. According to the police, he already has a previous conviction for bodily harm.

DALLAS – A former Uber driver was arrested after he was seen on video punching an elderly passenger who had canceled his ride.

According to police, the suspect already had a previous conviction for assault.

Willie Williams, 41, is charged with elder abuse after video showed the now-former rideshare driver hitting a 68-year-old passenger in the back of the head on Market Center Boulevard in Dallas on October 2.

Suleman Gauba does not own a car and uses ride-sharing services. He was planning to go to Walmart with his wife when he ordered an Uber from Williams.

But before they left the pickup location, Gauba complained to Williams that there wasn’t enough legroom in the back seat, according to the warrant.

Before the arrest, the police spoke personally with Gauba and Williams. Both sides admit that there was an argument.

Williams told police he canceled the ride and admitted pushing Gauba. But what’s seen on FOX 4’s surveillance video shows more than just an advance. Guaba says Williams hit him in the head.

Dallas Uber driver wanted for hitting passenger

A rideshare driver is accused of assaulting a Dallas passenger, according to police. Suleman Gauba said he complained about the lack of legroom in the back seat. What happened next was captured on video.

“Suddenly this happened to me. I didn’t see anything. He hit me or not. Because I wasn’t ready,” Guaba said. “No, I didn’t even see it coming.”

Gauba fell to the ground. His wife, wondering what even happened, called 911. Williams drove off.

After FOX 4 broke news of the story last week, Uber deactivated Williams from the ride-sharing app.

Court records show Williams was charged with assault in 2002, pleaded guilty and served a year’s probation.

Uber says it conducts background checks and its process complies with local requirements and laws.

Gauba is frailer than before. Just last year, the 68-year-old weighed 250 pounds until he unexpectedly lost more than 100 pounds due to colon cancer.

Now cancer-free, Guaba is grateful the blow didn’t cause a major injury.

“I’m glad he’s in prison now,” he said.

Williams was arrested Thursday evening at a hookah lounge in Addison. He is being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 fine.