Uber CEO Assaulted by Illegal Russian Driver, Files Lawsuit

Bryan Kobel, CEO of TC BioPharm, was violently assaulted by his Uber driver, Vadim Uliumdzhiev, in Charleston, South Carolina, after being denied the ability to bring his service dog into the vehicle. The driver, a Russian national working illegally in the U.S. with a fake license, headbutted Kobel, knocking him unconscious and causing severe brain injuries including a concussion, amnesia, and lasting speech difficulties. Despite the assault and multiple witnesses calling 911, Uliumdzhiev fled the scene and even picked up another passenger shortly after the attack. Kobel has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the company of failing to properly vet its drivers and protect riders, seeking to hold Uber accountable for the incident and to prompt improved safety measures. Uber condemned the attack but controversially suspended Kobel’s account soon after the incident, which Kobel described as victim-blaming. The case highlights ongoing concerns about rideshare passenger safety and Uber's responsibility in driver screening amid similar lawsuits in Charleston County.