Biotech CEO sues Uber after illegal immigrant driver assault caught on camera in downtown Charleston, SC
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A biotech CEO is taking Uber to court after an illegal immigrant driver was caught on camera violently assaulting him in downtown Charleston, South Carolina—sending his dog crashing to the pavement.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Charleston County, alleges TC BioPharm CEO Bryan Kobel, 45, suffered a concussion in April after Uber driver and illegal Russian national Uliumdzhiev Vadim Nikolaevich, 42, attacked him in a King Street restaurant parking lot.

Nikolaevich was arrested and released on a $10,000 bond for second-degree assault and battery, according to Charleston County Sheriff’s Office records.

He was later placed on an immigration hold after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Georgia, according to Kobel’s attorneys.

An illegal immigrant Uber driver was caught on camera headbutting and punching a biotech CEO in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

An illegal immigrant Uber driver was caught on camera headbutting and punching a biotech CEO in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. (The Law Offices of Kenneth Berger)

Authorities later told Kobel that Nikolaevich’s driver’s license was fake, and he was a Russian national living in the U.S. illegally.

“Riders rely on Uber to know who is behind the wheel,” Kenneth Berger, Kobel’s attorney, wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We’re seeking answers and accountability for how an undocumented individual using a fraudulent ID was able to access Uber’s platform, assault a passenger, and flee. Publicly traded companies that profit from public trust must have screening and real-time identity systems that actually protect people.”

The suit alleges that, as a direct result of Nikolaevich’s conduct while working for Uber and Raiser, Kobel suffered serious injuries and losses, including lost enjoyment of life, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and medical expenses.

“It was about 60 days before I could really have some semblance of a normal life,” Kobel said. “I had to bring our employees into a Zoom call and inform them of what had happened. … I couldn’t look at screens, I couldn’t really focus my eyes … I had a complete loss of vocabulary. You wonder, will I ever be whole again. Am I ever going to be the person I was. It’s made me more jaded, for sure.”

Bryan Kobel is suing Uber alleging negligence in its screening and hiring practices, among other allegations.

Bryan Kobel is suing Uber alleging negligence in its screening and hiring practices, among other allegations. (Photo courtesy of Bryan Kobel)

Furthermore, attorneys claim the rideshare giant is negligent in screening, hiring and monitoring drivers, leading to safety risks for its riders.

“Uber let a wolf into the hen house,” Kobel said. “They allowed a man who was in a country illegally, a Russian national with a fake license, go through their background check and snake his way in, and then have what was nothing more than a violent outburst for no reason.”

DHS and ICE did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

The Charleston Police Department declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment, citing pending litigation. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Private eye's bombshell evidence in Caribbean cruise disappearance

Shocking New Evidence Uncovered in Caribbean Cruise Disappearance by Private Investigator

As dawn broke on March 24, 1998, Ron Bradley faced a parent’s…
‘One Battle After Another’ Toasts Benicio del Toro’s Great Year With A Few Small Beers

Benicio del Toro Celebrates a Stellar Year with a Toast of Miniature Brews

As I wandered the streets of Brooklyn, guiding my child through the…
Charlie Sheen and his '80s ex Dolly Fox have gotten closer since the release of "The Book of Sheen"

Charlie Sheen Reconnects with ’80s Flame Dolly Fox Amid Buzz Over ‘The Book of Sheen

Charlie Sheen has reconnected with his former flame from the 1980s, Dolly…
HBO’s ‘The Seduction’ Uses Sex, Romance, and Feminism to Flip the Script on ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

HBO’s ‘The Seduction’ Reimagines ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ with a Bold Blend of Sex, Romance, and Feminism

Midway through HBO Max’s lavish new French series, The Seduction, a judge…
Illegal gangster with demonic face tattoo wanted for homicide arrested on US soil: feds

Demonic Tattooed Fugitive Arrested for Homicide on US Soil: Federal Authorities Announce Capture

A notorious figure from El Salvador’s most-wanted gang members list has been…
Autopsy reveals the truth about newlyweds found dead in their car

Autopsy Uncovers Crucial Details in Tragic Newlywed Car Deaths

The tragic deaths of a Wisconsin couple found in a car in…
One of the year’s best meteor shows peaks this weekend: Here's when and where to watch

Spectacular Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak This Weekend: Your Guide to Optimal Viewing Times and Locations

This weekend, sky enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Leonid…
Paris Jackson seen after losing legal battle with dad Michael's estate

Paris Jackson Spotted Following Legal Dispute Over Michael Jackson’s Estate

With a heavy heart, Paris Jackson was seen in Los Angeles on…