When you book a ride through an app, you are trusting a stranger with your safety. Before you get into the car, you deserve to know how the driver was screened, what happens when someone reports sexual misconduct, and whether the company will accept responsibility if its own failures contribute to an assault.
Empower is a rideshare booking app operating in several markets, including South Florida, that offers an alternative to Uber and Lyft. Unlike those companies, Empower describes itself as a software booking platform rather than a transportation provider. Drivers pay a subscription to use its services, set their own fares, and keep their fares.
Empower’s published policies raise serious questions about passenger protection. Its website says drivers must pass background checks. Yet its Acceptable Use Policy describes screening as discretionary and warns passengers not to rely on it. Meanwhile, reports of alleged sexual assaults involving Empower drivers raise troubling questions about the effectiveness of its screening procedures.
At Horowitz Law, we believe passengers deserve clear answers about the safeguards intended to protect them from sexual assault.
Does Empower Conduct Background Checks on Drivers?
According to its company website, drivers using the platform must pass criminal background checks and motor vehicle record checks.
However, the company's published Acceptable Use Policy appears to say something different. It describes screening as discretionary and advises passengers not to rely on it.
This apparent inconsistency raises important questions about Empower's screening practices, including how frequently drivers are rescreened, whether subsequent arrests or criminal charges are identified, and what happens when passengers report inappropriate conduct.
Background checks are an important safeguard, but they don't guarantee passenger safety. Even when a driver passes an initial screening, subsequent criminal charges, complaints, or other warning signs may warrant further investigation.
Empower Drivers Accused of Sexual Misconduct in Florida and Maryland
Reported criminal cases involving Empower drivers have brought passenger safety concerns into sharper focus.
Florida: Empower Driver Arrested Following Allegations Involving Teen Passenger
According to media reports, an Empower driver was arrested in Hialeah, Florida, following allegations of inappropriate sexual contact involving a 17-year-old passenger.
The driver, Vicente Fermin Rodriguez Hernandez, allegedly made personal comments to the teenager before stopping near a neighborhood park, moving into the back seat, forcibly kissing her, and touching her inappropriately despite her objections.
Rodriguez Hernandez was reportedly charged with lewd and lascivious touching of a minor. The allegations have not been established as proven in court.
Maryland: Empower Driver Charged With Rape and Kidnapping
In Maryland, an Empower driver was arrested after a 17-year-old passenger reported being sexually assaulted during a ride booked through the app.
According to media reports, Abdoulaye Dia allegedly drove the teenager away from her intended destination, stopped in a parking lot in Silver Spring, and sexually assaulted her. Dia was charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping, and additional offenses. News reports also indicated that he had faced earlier criminal charges involving alleged sexual misconduct in New York.
Reports also show that Empower stated its background checks on Dia were conducted in July 2026 and did not identify any incidents. The company also said it cooperated with law enforcement.
The charges against Dia remain allegations unless proven in court.
Empower's Policies Raise Questions About Passenger Safety and Accountability
Beyond driver screening, Empower's business model and published policies raise questions about what passengers can expect when something goes wrong.
In the FAQ section of its website, Empower compares its role to Expedia's, describing itself as a booking platform rather than a transportation provider. The company states that it is “not legally or financially responsible” for issues arising from drivers' services.
Its Acceptable Use Policy also disclaims guarantees about the availability and effectiveness of consumer support. For a passenger reporting sexual assault, those positions raise concerns about accountability and the response they can expect.
A company’s disclaimer does not, by itself, decide whether an injured passenger has a valid legal claim. That requires examination of the applicable law, the company’s conduct, and the facts of the incident. A survivor should not assume that language in an app’s terms eliminates every possible avenue for recovery.
What Should Passengers Do After Sexual Assault by a Rideshare Driver?
Sexual assault can happen in any transportation setting, and passengers should never be blamed for misconduct committed by a driver.
If you experience sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, or sexual assault during a rideshare trip, consider taking the following steps:
- Prioritize your safety. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or seek assistance.
- Report the incident to law enforcement. A police report can help document what happened.
- Preserve ride information. Save the driver's name, vehicle details, trip receipts, screenshots, messages, and other relevant evidence.
- Seek medical care and support. Healthcare professionals and sexual assault support services can help address physical and emotional needs.
- Consider speaking with an attorney. An attorney experienced in sexual assault litigation can evaluate potential legal claims.
Passengers deserve transportation services that take allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and respond appropriately when safety concerns are reported.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law represents survivors of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. We have filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits on behalf of individuals harmed by people who misuse positions of trust or access, including rideshare drivers.
Sexual assault by a rideshare driver can cause serious physical and emotional harm. Depending on the circumstances, the rideshare company may also face questions about its screening practices, response to prior complaints, and legal responsibilities.
If you experienced sexual assault or inappropriate sexual conduct involving an Empower driver, or a driver using another rideshare service, please contact Horowitz Law at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.