Seattle ride-share driver allegedly extorted woman for sex, dragged her in car

SEATTLE -- Detectives are investigating a for-hire driver who reportedly tried to extort sex from a woman, and later dragged her behind his vehicle when she tried to get him to return her lost phone.

A woman told Seattle police that a for-hire driver dropped her at her home around 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of 20th Avenue East and East Republican Street. After being dropped off, the woman realized she'd left her phone behind in the car.

The woman called her cellphone, police said, and the driver answered. He initially refused to return the phone, officers said, and said he would only drive back to her if she would have sex with him.

Eventually, the woman convinced the driver to return to her home, and she met him on the street, police said. She spoke with the driver as he remained inside the car, holding her phone. When she reached out for the phone, the driver sped away, police said, dragging the woman a short distance down the street.

The woman suffered cuts to her legs, feet, arms and hands. Luckily, she eventually freed herself and the driver left the scene.

The woman contacted a friend and police were called to the scene.

Detectives are investigating the case and trying to identify the driver, police said. Anyone who has additional information about this case is encouraged to call 911.