LOWER EAST SIDE — An Uber rider attacked a driver who refused to let him squeeze another person into the car — then used another Uber as a getaway vehicle, police said.
The suspect was standing outside of 157 Ludlow St. near Stanton Street at 3 a.m. Wednesday when the 37-year-old Uber driver told him he wouldn't let any more people ride in his cab, police said.
The suspect, whose friend had ordered the vehicle, pulled the driver out of his car and began to repeatedly punch him, police said.
The suspect, who wore a black jacket and black hat, fled down the street and, according to a witness, got into a different Uber on Stanton Street, police said.
The Uber driver was left with bruises and cuts, police said.
Uber said in an emailed statement that the company has banned the rider involved in the incident.
"Riders and drivers should treat each other with respect and consideration," Uber said in the statement. "We have banned the rider involved in this incident and reached out with the driver to offer our support."