Louisville Rideshare Driver Arrested After Passenger Reports Sexual Assault During Trip to Medical Appointment
Arrest follows report made at doctor’s office
A Louisville rideshare driver has been arrested and charged after a passenger reported being sexually assaulted during a trip that was supposed to take her to a medical appointment, according to court and jail records.
The suspect, identified as Youdan B. Diaz Vera, 34, of Louisville, was taken into custody on February 5, 2026, following an investigation by Louisville Metro Police. Investigators tied the case to an incident reported to have occurred the afternoon of February 4, 2026.
What court records allege happened during the ride
In the arrest citation, the passenger told investigators she was picked up at her home by a rideshare driver for transportation to a medical appointment. During the drive, she reported seeing a gun inside the glove compartment after the driver opened it.
The citation alleges the driver later pulled the vehicle over, moved into the back seat with the passenger, and forced her to perform a sex act. The passenger told investigators she could not get away because the vehicle’s door was locked.
After the reported assault, the driver took the passenger to the doctor’s office. Once inside, she contacted police and provided a description of the person she said assaulted her.
Charges and bond conditions
Diaz Vera was initially charged with sodomy and menacing. Court records show the sodomy charge was later amended to kidnapping of an adult. He remains charged in connection with the case, and the investigation details are expected to be tested through the criminal court process.
Bond was set at $100,000 cash. Court records indicate that if bond is posted, Diaz Vera is to be placed on the home incarceration program.
Why the case matters for riders and the legal process
The allegations underscore the high-stakes reliance riders place on app-based transportation for essential travel, including medical appointments. While rideshare platforms market safety features and screening practices, criminal cases ultimately turn on evidence gathered by investigators and evaluated in court.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bond conditions can include restrictions such as home incarceration, which is administered through local corrections and pretrial supervision systems.
Charge amendments can occur as prosecutors review evidence and determine which statutes best match the alleged conduct.
If you believe you were the victim of a sexual assault, help is available through emergency services and local victim-advocacy resources. Immediate reporting can also preserve time-sensitive evidence.
No trial date or plea was reflected in the publicly available information reviewed as of February 19, 2026.