Women catch an Uber. Then the driver allegedly starts ‘messing’ with a bag of nylon zip ties: ‘My heart was racing’

Women heading to dinner in an Uber said they became uneasy after noticing their driver handling a bag labeled “Nylon Zip Ties.” He then allegedly picked up a small towel. TikTok creator Hannah Dubose (@hannah.dubose2) described the ride in a post, calling it her “crazy Uber” experience.

According to Dubose, she and two friends ordered an Uber at about 7 p.m. They sat together in the back seat. Dubose said the driver began “messing with a bag of something” after they got into the vehicle. She initially assumed he was handling something ordinary because she could not see what was inside the bag from her position behind the driver.

One of her friends, however, recognized what the driver appeared to have. Her friend sent a message in their group chat saying “zip ties,” according to Dubose. She said she then saw the driver close the bag and place it on the passenger seat. Dubose said she could read “Nylon Zip Ties” on the bag.

Then she says he picked up a small piece of cloth.

Dubose then said the situation became more unsettling when the driver picked up a small towel or rag and placed it beside him on the passenger seat. At that point, Dubose said her thoughts turned to the possibility that the items could be connected to an attempt to restrain or incapacitate passengers. She specifically mentioned chloroform as something that crossed her mind.

There is no evidence in Dubose’s account that the towel contained chloroform or that the driver intended to harm the passengers. Dubose also said nothing happened to her or her friends during the ride. “Thankfully he didn’t,” she said.

Still, the experience left Dubose considering how differently she might have reacted if she had been riding alone. “My heart was racing,” she said.

Dubose said the circumstances made her uncomfortable because the driver appeared to be “messing” with items that could potentially be used for restraint while transporting three women. She acknowledged that she did not know why the driver had the zip ties. She said in the comments that she reported the driver.

Uber says riders can report driver behavior that makes them feel unsafe through the app. The company says it reviews reports that may violate its Community Guidelines and can investigate incidents with specialized teams.

Uber also says a single serious report can result in a rider or driver losing access to the platform, while less serious or inconclusive reports may be documented and considered alongside future reports.