Uber Driver Is Charged With Raping A Passenger In Boston

A driver for the ride-hailing company Uber has been charged with raping a passenger in Boston.

Michael Vedrine, 32, of Brockton, was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment Friday afternoon in Dorchester Municipal Court.

Vedrine allegedly assaulted his passenger — a woman in her 20s — in his vehicle early Wednesday. When she left the vehicle, he allegedly followed her and assaulted her a second time, according to a statement from Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley.

After the victim reported the assault to Boston Police, and both the victim and Vedrine were interviewed, prosecutors said Vedrine called the victim. He was then taken into custody "based on the evidence gathered thus far and new concerns raised by the phone call," according to the statement.

Uber said in a statement the company is fully cooperating with police and "will continue to work closely with them to help provide any information useful in this case."

Vedrine is expected to appear in court again on Oct. 13.

This is at least the second alleged rape involving an area Uber driver in a month. On Aug. 11, Darnell Booth, of Dorchester, was charged with raping an Everett 16-year-old he had met while driving.

In August, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law regulating ride-hailing firms in the state. He said the law requires the strongest state background check of drivers in the nation.