Lyft Driver Allegedly Stabbed 11 Times in Brutal Carjacking as Accused Woman Is Denied Bond: ‘Deeply Concerning for Public Safety’

Naziyha La’Nay Weatherall, 22, was denied bond after being accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times and stealing his vehicle in Greenville County, South Carolina, PEOPLE reports. The alleged attack happened on April 22 after Weatherall ordered a Lyft to an apartment complex.

According to police reports obtained by Law & Crime, the driver arrived to pick Weatherall up when she allegedly attacked him with a knife. Deputies responded to the apartment complex at about 2:30 p.m., and the driver was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Weatherall was arrested later that day. Greenville County records list charges of attempted murder, carjacking involving bodily injury and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The charges stem from allegations that she attacked the driver before taking his vehicle.

Weatherall will remain in custody

During an Aug. 28 bond hearing, the driver’s wife told the court that her husband was too emotionally and physically shaken to attend. She described the alleged attack as involving 11 stab wounds to multiple areas of his body and said it was “deeply concerning for public safety.”

The driver’s wife also told the court that he had been working when the alleged attack occurred. Prosecutors argued that the circumstances of the case warranted keeping Weatherall in custody while the criminal proceedings continue.

The alleged attack shows how quickly a routine rideshare pickup can become a safety concern for drivers. In a separate case, an Uber driver grew suspicious of a passenger’s behavior and started filming for his safety before the situation escalated.

Weatherall’s defense attorney presented a different account of what preceded the alleged stabbing. He said she was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time and had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to her attorney, Weatherall was experiencing delusions and believed she was being watched, listened to and was in danger.

The defense also told the court that Weatherall had ordered the Lyft because she intended to travel to a police station and seek help. Her attorney said her mother had contacted the police station beforehand to say that Weatherall was on her way to make a report.

The alleged use of a knife is another detail that changes the nature of a rideshare encounter, as one Uber passenger hopped out of a moving car after noticing her driver twirling a knife in the front seat.

Weatherall’s mother addressed the court during the hearing and apologized to the driver’s family. She said the alleged conduct was out of character for her daughter and asked the court to consider her mental state.

The judge ultimately denied bond and ordered Weatherall to remain in custody. A psychological evaluation was scheduled for September as the case moves forward.

Lyft said the driver’s well-being was its priority and that the company had reached out to him and his family following the incident. The company also said the rider accounts involved were permanently removed and that it was cooperating with law enforcement.

Lyft said the driver’s well-being was its priority and that the company had reached out to him and his family following the incident. The company also said the rider accounts involved were permanently removed and that it was cooperating with law enforcement.

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