A Seekonk man is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted an Uber driver during a ride over the weekend, according to police.

 

Officers responded to County Street and Arrowhead Road around 1:35 a.m. Saturday for reports of a crash and found a car on the lawn of a home.

 

The driver, an Uber employee, told police she had just been assaulted by a male passenger, later identified as James D. Oakes, 25, who had fled the scene.

 

The victim said she picked the suspect up in north Seekonk and started driving him to a destination in south Seekonk, according to police. During the ride, he reportedly changed the destination and provided a new address.

 

When they arrived at the new destination, the victim said Oakes demanded she drive down a long, unlit driveway. Police said the driver initially refused, but eventually complied. Once in the driveway, Oakes allegedly began assaulting her.

 

The victim managed to put the car in drive and flee down the road, though the suspect kept attacking her, according to police. When the vehicle came to a stop on the lawn, police said Oakes stole her phone and ran off.

 

See more at wpri.com.