A 24-year-old Dorchester man is facing serious charges after police allege he assaulted a female Uber driver with a wire-like cord before stealing her vehicle in Boston’s South End. Authorities say the incident occurred Thursday night after the man had been picked up as a passenger in Cambridge.
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What Investigators Allege Happened
According to police, the driver pulled over near Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus Avenue around 6:30 p.m. for what she believed was a routine drop-off. Investigators allege the passenger, identified as Christopher Dawkins, wrapped a cord around her neck before pushing her out of the vehicle and driving away. The driver was able to escape and ran into a nearby business, where employees called 911.
Victim’s Condition
Paramedics evaluated the driver, who sustained visible injuries to her neck but is expected to recover. She has since obtained a restraining order against the suspect.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Police say they were able to track the stolen vehicle using the driver’s phone, which remained inside the car. Dawkins was arrested near Stanwood Street and Blue Hill Avenue without further incident. He appeared in Boston Municipal Court, where a judge ordered him held without bail pending charges that include carjacking, strangulation, and assault with a deadly weapon. As with any pending case, these are allegations, and Dawkins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What Happens Next
Uber confirmed it has permanently removed Dawkins from its platform and says it is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Dawkins is scheduled for a subsequent court appearance on November 13, and Boston police and prosecutors continue to review the case.