NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of Nashville's "Most Wanted" fugitives has been arrested after he was accused of attacking women while working as a rideshare driver.

News 2 spoke with a woman who claimed she was assaulted. Although she is closer to justice, she said the incident has changed her life.

"I'm scared to do anything," Heather said.

In October 2023, Heather had been out on Broadway and ordered a rideshare to take her home. However, she says when she got into the vehicle, the driver got into the backseat and began to grope and kiss her.

"It's really torn me apart, to the point where I didn't want to live anymore, and I've had several attempts on my own life," Heather expressed.

In fact, she told News 2 that the most recent attempt to take her life resulted in her being put on life support. The trauma so severe, at one point, her hair began to fall out.

"This whole time I've been struggling with PTSD and depression, extreme depression, I won't leave my house; I won't go to the store; I haven't been in a rideshare since this has happened," she added. "I used to be very social, very outgoing, and I don't do any of that anymore."

The man accused of the assault— identified as Jamal Alhakari— has been on Metro Nashville's "Most Wanted" list since 2024. He was recently caught in Detroit on Oct. 4 for outstanding indictments, which included aggravated kidnapping and sexual battery.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Alhakari soon be returned to Nashville and booked on those indictments.

Heather says the arrest has brought her some peace.

"He's a bad, bad man and he deserves to be behind bars," she said. "It's just very overwhelming, emotionally, to finally know he's been arrested."

It remains unclear which rideshare company was involved in this case, but incidents like this are part of a large conversation about rideshare safety.

A recent article by the New York Times reported Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the U.S. almost every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022.

In a statement sent to News 2 last month, Uber stated the following:

Uber is committed to building a platform where women feel comfortable, safe, and in control. We've developed industry-leading safety tools, launched awareness campaigns, and continue to partners with women's safety and sexual assault prevention experts to help prevent harm before it happens."

As she continues to recover both physically and emotionally, Heather said she hopes she can spare someone else the same pain by sharing her story.

"Especially in downtown Nashville, with the rides, taxis, and drivers outside and people are drinking, people need to use a buddy system, check the license plate," Heather advised.

The MNPD offers the following tips when using rideshares:

• Ask the driver for your first name
• Check your route on your own map software
• Be aware of your surroundings
• If necessary, call for help by dialing 911

If you're planning to hail a cab, make sure that the taxi is properly licensed by looking for:

• Professional decals
• Tagged meters
• Visible drivers permit
• Taxi rate card
• Passenger bill of rights

A GoFundMe has been established to help Heather with medical bills. If you would like to donate, follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/woman-shares-story-after-being-assaulted-by-nashville-rideshare-driver/