A California Lyft driver has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a

“drunk”

passenger who fell asleep in his car, reports the NY Post.

The suspect, 35-year-old Fernando Macias Morales, was arrested by the Santa Monica police on Saturday.

“We entrust rideshare drivers with our safety, relying on their professionalism and integrity to provide safe transportation,”

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement Wednesday.

“Individuals who perpetrate acts of violence, especially against those who rely on transportation services for their everyday needs, will be held accountable,”

Gascon said.

Santa Monica police report that Morales picked up the passenger outside of a restaurant in West Hollywood after she requested a ride home. During the ride, the woman fell asleep and later woke up to find the driver molesting her, according to authorities.

After the incident, Morales reportedly offered to accompany the woman to her door, but she declined. It was only after she arrived home that she realized she had been unconscious for several hours. The woman reported the assault to the police, leading to an investigation. 

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed charges against him based on the woman’s claims. He faces charges of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual act, sexual penetration of an intoxicated person, and oral copulation. Morales’s bail is set at $500,000.

“Upon learning of this incident we permanently banned the driver from the Lyft platform, contacted the rider to offer support, and assisted law enforcement with their investigation,”

a spokesperson for San Francisco-based Lyft wrote in an email to The Post. 

#Clique, what are your thoughts?