20 Years for Lyft Driver's Nightmare: Carjacker Sentenced in Florida

Lantana, Florida, USA - In a serious case that has drawn attention locally and beyond, Evanole Lusane has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the armed carjacking and kidnapping of a Lyft driver. This sentence, handed down by the Boynton Beach Police Department, followed Lusane’s acceptance of a plea deal, with the incident dating back to January 11, 2024. The victim, a driver in Lake Worth, picked up two passengers but faced a terrifying ordeal when Lusane pulled a firearm and forced the driver to comply with his demands.

The harrowing scenario unfolded after one of the passengers exited the vehicle at a stop sign. Lusane remained inside, brandishing a gun and coercing the driver to visit two Bank of America locations to withdraw cash totaling $1,000. Adding to the driver’s distress, Lusane even insisted on a stop at a nearby 7/11 store for purchases. Threats were made against the driver’s family, especially at Hypoluxo Scrub Trail in Lantana, where he warned that any attempt to contact the police would end badly for them.

The Aftermath of the Incident

The driver, showing remarkable bravery, managed to escape on foot and reported the incident to the Lantana Police Department. Following this, the Boynton Beach Police took over the case. Investigators tracked down the vehicle to West Palm Beach and found it parked in Boynton Beach. Lusane was apprehended near an ATM, where police found the victim’s cellphone and debit cards, ensuring a solid case against him. Surveillance footage further confirmed Lusane’s use of the victim’s card, making his identification straightforward during a photo lineup.

Charged with multiple offenses including carjacking with a firearm, kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, and aggravated assault with a firearm, Lusane’s actions reflect an alarming trend in rideshare safety and criminal behavior in general.

Similar Incidents and Broader Context

While Lusane’s case has drawn attention for its severity, it isn’t isolated. A similar incident occurred involving another rideshare driver, Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, who is facing charges in Texas. The 23-year-old allegedly kidnapped his rideshare driver at gunpoint and forced the individual to drive over 1,000 miles to Miami, all while threatening further violence. During the journey, Pastran Hernandez’s threats escalated, and the driver, fearing for their life, complied with his demands.

After a harrowing few days, the driver successfully managed to escape during a stop in Hialeah. Pastran Hernandez was subsequently arrested with a loaded firearm in his possession. He now faces serious charges, including kidnapping and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Lyft has permanently banned him from their platform and is cooperating with law enforcement.

According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, armed assaults, including carjackings, have raised significant concerns amongst rideshare drivers and passengers alike. These reflections not only shine a light on the dangers involved in ridesharing but also emphasize the urgency for better safety measures and protocols within these services. With rising incidents between 1995 and 2021, there’s an undeniable need for awareness and action to safeguard everyone involved.

The string of recent events has made it clear: more needs to be done to prevent these dangerous situations from arising in the first place. As local communities, we must come together to ensure that rideshare platforms are safe and secure.