Following a harrowing incident that took place in South Austin, Texas, in November 2024, an Uber driver has been charged with attempted sexual assault.
Previously, police had responded to a 911 call from the victim’s fiancé, who reported that her rideshare driver, Nawar Al Issa, was assaulting his fiancée.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim outside the vehicle, appearing highly intoxicated but uninjured. Al Issa was found in the back seat, covered in blood, with injuries to his face.
Rideshare Trip Takes A Turn For the Worse
According to the victim, she had been attending a friend’s wedding earlier that evening and ordered an Uber ride to return home. During the trip, she described Al Issa as making unsettling and inappropriate comments, including “I’m going to kidnap you” and “I’m going to take you away.” After arriving at her apartment complex, the driver allegedly parked the car and made further inappropriate remarks while smoking cigarettes.
The victim recounted that Al Issa offered to buy her alcohol, which led to a stop at a nearby gas station where she purchased wine. She recalled feeling increasingly uneasy as the driver encouraged her to drink and even suggested turning off the location tracking to avoid charges by Uber. As the evening progressed, the victim reported losing memory of the events that followed.
Location Tracking Leads to Intervention
The victim’s fiancé, who was attending a different wedding at the time, tracked her GPS location and arrived at the apartment complex to find the victim in the car with Al Issa. The fiancé reported that Al Issa was pouring liquid into the victim’s mouth and that his hand was near her thigh. The victim appeared unresponsive.
Driver Police Interview Details
Al Issa was later interviewed by police and initially claimed that the victim wanted to stop for alcohol to forget a bad experience at the wedding. While he admitted to sitting in the back seat with the victim, he denied any physical contact, stating, “I would rather not talk about that” when asked about it.
Further investigation revealed surveillance footage from the gas station confirming the victim’s purchase of wine, with a store clerk noting the victim’s intoxicated state. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examination also revealed DNA evidence linking Al Issa to the victim, with his DNA found on her face, neck, and clothing.
As a result of the investigation, Nawar Al Issa has been charged with attempted third-degree sexual assault. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and Al Issa remains in custody.
How Helping Survivors Can Help You
If you or someone you know has been the victim of rideshare sexual assault, or any other kind of rideshare assault, it is important to seek the help and support you deserve.
At Helping Survivors, we offer confidential consultations to help you understand your options and provide the support you need during this difficult time. Our team of experienced legal professionals are dedicated to advocating for survivors and ensuring that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. You are not alone, and we are here to help you seek justice and healing.
