UberX Driver Accused of Battery on Passenger in San Francisco: Report

San Francisco police cited an UberX driver over the weekend for allegedly pulling a female passenger out of his vehicle and throwing her phone into the street, according to reports.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Martin Hynek, 39, of Berkeley received three misdemeanor citations for getting into an argument with the alleged victim at 7 p.m. Saturday, near the corner of Jones and Pine streets in the Nob Hill neighborhood.

In an interview with NBC Bay Area, the victim -- who only wanted to be identified as "Nicki" -- said Hynek stopped the vehicle after an argument about her destination, started to yank her out of the car and then threw her phone down the street when she tried to take a picture.

"I feel like their drivers are completely within their rights to refuse a rider, to not like a rider, to be angry with a rider," Nicki said. "But you cannot physically touch a rider and you can't touch their property."

Hynek was cited by police and allowed to leave.

Uber spokesperson Eva Behrend provided the following statement to NBC Bay Area on the alleged incident:

"It's Uber's policy to immediately suspend a driver’s account following any serious allegations, which we have done. We have also been in contact with the rider and will assist authorities in any investigation."

Nicki said Uber needs to prevent incidents instead of reacting to them.

"Really, whatever they're doing isn't working," she said. "I think that's the bottom line."

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