Louisville rideshare driver arrested for alleged sexual assault of passenger, police say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his rideshare passenger during a trip arranged to take her to a medical appointment.

Louisville Police said Yordan Diaz Vera, 34, was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with sodomy, kidnapping and menacing in connection with an assault reported Feb. 4 in the 3200 block of Taylor Boulevard.

According to his arrest citation, the victim’s medical office ordered a Lyft to pick her up at her home and take her to an appointment. Diaz Vera picked up the woman in a 2026 Nissan Rogue, but instead of taking her directly to the office, police said he pulled down the glove compartment to show a gun inside the vehicle and drove to a church parking lot near Churchill Downs.

The citation said Diaz Vera then got into the back seat of the vehicle with the victim, who told police she tried to escape but could not because the doors were locked.

“He got into the back seat with a gun and forced her to perform a sex act and she could not get away,” said attorney Sara Collins, who represents the victim.

Collins said the assault lasted several minutes.

“She is just deeply deeply traumatized and shaken and terrified,” Collins said.

Police said Diaz Vera then drove the woman to her appointment and dropped her off.

“She ran out of the car and into the office screaming for help,” Collins said.

Police arrested Diaz Vera the next day in a Kroger parking lot. He pleaded not guilty Feb. 6, and a judge set his bond at $100,000 cash. He is being held at Metro Corrections on an immigration detainer, with the case expected to go to a grand jury in March.

“He's originally from Cuba, he's here on a work permit,” Collins said.

Collins said the attack occurred in broad daylight and there was documentation Diaz Vera was the assigned driver.

“He had no regard, clearly, for being caught,” she said.

Collins said her client came forward despite fear because the driver knew where she lived.

“She wants his picture out there and she wants other victims to know he is in custody and if you have been victimized by this man, come forward,” Collins said.

The Louisville Metro Police Department has not yet responded to an inquiry about whether investigators believe there could be additional victims.

WDRB also asked Lyft whether the company conducted a background check on Diaz Vera, how long he had been driving and whether prior complaints had been filed.

“The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or society," the company said in a statement. "We have permanently removed the driver from the Lyft platform and are assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”

Collins criticized rideshare safety measures, and said Lyft does not require drivers to install dash cameras or undergo fingerprint-based background checks.

“I fully believe she has saved countless other women from enduring what she experienced,” she said.

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