SAN MATEO, Calif. – A Lyft driver in San Mateo is accused of raping an intoxicated passenger early Saturday morning after police said he brought the woman from a bar back to his home in Tracy during a trip, a report said.
San Francisco Chronicle reported the woman reportedly passed out in the back of Tonye Kolokolo’s car prior to the alleged crime. During the encounter, the driver is accused of having non-consensual intercourse with the 25-year-old woman.
Kolokolo, 46, was arrested Saturday and booked into San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of rape and false imprisonment, police said.
San Bruno police said the 25-year-old woman summoned a Lyft driver early Saturday. She was intoxicated and believes she passed out in the backseat of the ride-hailing driver’s car, said San Bruno police spokesman Lt. Ryan Johansen.
Kolokolo drove the woman to his home and the raped reportedly occurred about 3 a.m. Saturday, Johansen said. Moreover, police are confident Kolokolo was the driver dispatched to pick up the woman via Lyft’s app, he said.
The lieutenant said he could not comment on how the woman managed to get away.
A Lyft spokeswoman said the San Francisco company has permanently removed Kolokolo’s access to the ride-hailing service and reached out to the woman.
“Safety is fundamental to Lyft. What is being described is terrifying,” spokeswoman Lauren Alexander said. “We are working with the authorities and will continue to help in every way we can.”
