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Home » Law In Travel » Bizarre: Rideshare Driver And Passenger Get Into Violent Fight Over Taylor Swift
Law In Travel

Bizarre: Rideshare Driver And Passenger Get Into Violent Fight Over Taylor Swift

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 27, 2025 12 Comments

a man with a bandage on his eye

A rideshare driver and a rider got into a physical fight that escalated after a request by the rider to put on Taylor Swift music.

Rideshare Driver Pulls Knife, Attacks Man After Disagreement Over Religion, Taylor Swift

Here’s what unfolded, according to the passenger, César Ayala:

  • Ayala was traveling via Bolt, a popular ridesharing app, in Asunción, Paraguay
  • His driver, Pablo Leiva, was chatty and began proselytizing, but Ayala quickly shut him down, saying that he had consumed too much alcohol and did not want to talk, suggesting the driver put Taylor Swift on
  • The driver called him “disgusting” for listening to Tayor Swift, referring to the popular singer as a “slut”
  • Ayala protested, but the driver told him to pay up and get out of the car (they were not to their destination)
  • Ayala pulled out his phone and began recording the driver
  • The driver responded by pulling out a knife and striking Ayala under the eye with the butt of the knife.
  • Ayala called another Bolt driver who transported him to a police station where he tried to file a report, but was denied because he did not have a “medical diagnosis”
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cesar Ayala (@cesar_ayala_180)

But Paola Leiva, the daughter of the driver, took to social media to post her father’s side of the account:

  • The passenger mocked her dad’s Christian faith and then reached out and touched him on the shoulder
  • The knife was used because “my dad wanted him to get out of the car but he didn’t want to get out”
  • But she conceded, “The aggression is not justifiable. Justice will take charge”

Bolt said it had suspended the driver’s account:

“We are aware of the incident involving a driver who used the services through the platform, accused of assaulting a passenger. We take these allegations very seriously. Upon learning of the incident, the driver’s account was immediately deactivated.

“We strongly condemn any form of violence and discrimination. Every person has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and we are committed to maintaining a safe environment for all. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of all users.”

Yes, this was about Taylor Swift, but also about religion and respect. While I place almost 100% of the blame on the driver, I do place some on the passenger if he deliberately touched the driver and then refused to get out of the car. You run away from troubled people rather than engaging them…

But whatever his culpability, nothing justifies the coarse language, unwanted proselytizing, and violence perpetrated by the driver.


image: cesar_ayala_180 / Instagram

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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12 Comments

  1. Jerry Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 4:49 pm

    The driver might not like Taylor Swift, but if he had attended one of her shows, he’d have a different appreciation of love and fellowship among fans. I’m not a Swiftie, but I attended night 1 in Warsaw. I walked away surprised and quite honestly, a little bit moved.

    • NedsKid Reply
      January 27, 2025 at 9:59 pm

      I said the same thing about Wayne Newton! Changed my life.

      • Jerry Reply
        January 28, 2025 at 2:46 pm

        Beverly D’Angelo said the same thing

  2. Corey Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 5:48 pm

    Have to side with the driver on this one. I will drive my car off a cliff before I listen to Taylor Swift.

  3. Jesus Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 6:04 pm

    Today’s Christianity: always play the victim.

  4. D3Kingg Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 7:15 pm

    Wow my blood was boiling last night watching Taylor Swift walk onto the field for her 3rd consecutive AFC Championship. So sick of her and KC. Philly get jiggy with it and win Super Bowl LIX.

    • Travelgirl Reply
      January 28, 2025 at 2:34 pm

      D3Kingg +1 And why is Taylor Swift arriving at the game a breaking news alert????

  5. D3kingg Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 7:25 pm

    By the way I’m an Uber driver. I never start unwanted conversations with passengers. I get tipped 35%-40% of the time on airport rides , if I get a MAGA and they are chatty I turn up Fox News radio and get a $20-$40 tip lol. I also drive in underserved communities during off peak times ; drivers don’t like driving in dangerous neighborhoods. I don’t discriminate People are cool just trying to go to school or work and what not. I roll down MLK JR BLVD I ain’t shook.

  6. DC Reply
    January 27, 2025 at 11:54 pm

    Could you change the channel, man? Come on, man. I had a rough night and I hate the f***in’ Eagles, man!

  7. Pete Reply
    January 28, 2025 at 5:37 am

    The driver sounds like a dangerous lunatic.

    • emercycrite Reply
      January 28, 2025 at 8:36 pm

      He pulled a knife on his passenger. He should be tried for attempted murder.

  8. Chi Hsuan Reply
    January 29, 2025 at 1:27 am

    What kind of pole smoker listens to Taylor Swift?

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