News Summary
A 25-year-old man, James D. Oakes, was arrested in Seekonk for allegedly assaulting an Uber driver during a ride. The driver showed great courage by escaping after being attacked. Oakes faces multiple serious charges including strangulation, kidnapping, and assault with intent to rape. Authorities are investigating the incident to ensure the safety of rideshare drivers.
Seekonk, Massachusetts – A 25-year-old man, James D. Oakes, has been arrested following his alleged assault of a female Uber driver during a ride early Saturday morning. The incident has led to serious charges, including strangulation, kidnapping, and assault with intent to rape.
The altercation occurred around 1:35 a.m. at the intersection of County Street and Arrowhead Road. Police officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash and discovered the Uber driver on the lawn of a nearby residence. Upon examination, it was revealed that the driver had picked up Oakes in North Seekonk and was transporting him to South Seekonk.
During the drive, Oakes requested to change the destination to an alternate location. Upon arrival at this new address, he asked the driver to reverse down a long, dark driveway. Although the driver initially refused this request, she ultimately complied after facing pressure from Oakes.
Tragically, while positioned in the unlit driveway, Oakes allegedly began physically assaulting the driver. Despite the attack, she managed to shift the vehicle into drive and escape the situation, driving away as the assault continued. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop on a front lawn, allowing Oakes to flee the scene with the driver’s cellphone.
The victim sounded the car horn for assistance, which attracted the attention of a nearby resident. This resident promptly called the police, which initiated a swift investigation into the matter. On Sunday, police issued an arrest warrant for Oakes, who was taken into custody later that afternoon without incident.
Oakes now faces a series of serious charges, including:
- Strangulation or suffocation
- Kidnapping
- Assault with intent to rape
- Assault and battery
- Unarmed robbery
- Intimidation of a witness
- Interference with a ride share driver
On Monday, Oakes was arraigned in Taunton District Court. He is currently being held pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for the following Monday. As of now, details regarding his bail have not been disclosed.
This incident raises concerns about the safety of rideshare drivers, who may face various risks while transporting passengers. The Uber driver in this case displayed remarkable courage by managing to escape and seeking assistance despite the dangerous situation she encountered.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this troubling incident as they work to ensure the safety of rideshare drivers and protect the community. Further updates will be provided as new information emerges regarding Oakes’ court hearing and the ongoing investigation.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: Ridesharing
- WCVB
- Google Search: Uber driver assault
- ABC 6
- Google Scholar: Rideshare safety
- The Sun Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rideshare security
- WBSM
- Google News: Uber driver assault
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
