A pedicab passenger claims a driver pictured in The Submit’s front-page story in regards to the trade’s more and more rogue conduct within the Huge Apple sexually harassed her.
Lydia Rivera shared on social media her personal harrowing encounter with the motive force on June 25.
“I used to be like, ‘That’s the identical man I had simply posted about a few months in the past,’” she instructed The Submit. “I wasn’t stunned in any respect.”
Rivera had been eating outdoors the Galaxy Diner on West forty sixth Avenue when a slimy pedicabbie parked his trip just some toes away on Ninth Avenue, stumbled over and commenced aggressively hitting on her.
“It was very menacing, and his complete method was very threatening,” Rivera stated, including that the motive force was “past drunk” and slurring his phrases.
“He stated one thing like he needed to kiss me,” she stated.
The undesirable advances caught the eye of two girls on the road, who stepped in to defend Rivera from the motive force, based on a video of the encounter shared with The Submit.
The ladies demanded the motive force apologize, however as an alternative he shouted insults and cursed at them, the five-minute clip confirmed. Lastly, the wild-eyed hack apologized and drove away.
“I type of froze, and these women took over and rescued me,” she stated. “Ladies get hit on in New York on a regular basis however he undoubtedly was extra aggressive, and a bit of bit scary.”
Rivera stated she was shocked to see her aggressor being detained by cops in Occasions Sq. in The Submit’s {photograph} from October 2022.
Cops on the scene instructed a Submit photographer on the time that the pedicabbie had been busted for driving whereas intoxicated, though an NYPD spokesperson stated they had been no arrest information on file.
The distressing expertise at Galaxy Diner reaffirmed Rivera’s determination by no means to trip in a pedicab.
“I simply really feel prefer it’s a reckless drive,” she stated.
An NYPD spokesperson referred a request for remark to a earlier assertion that it has acquired complaints about Midtown pedicabs and is specializing in enforcement efforts there, leading to over 100 pedicabs seized this 12 months.
“This enforcement, which has included working collectively with the Division of Shopper and Employee Safety, consists of inspections of pedicab licenses and registrations,” the assertion learn.
Extra reporting by Tina Moore
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