Lyft Driver Arrested After Cops Find His License Was Suspended 17 Times

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A Lyft driver was arrested in a parking lot near a train station after officers discovered that his driver's license had been suspended 17 times. Officers were responding to a 911 call about a drunk driver when they found 57-year-old Leith Crossen sitting in his 2007 Volkswagen Jetta near the Cold Spring Harbor train station in Long Island.

Crossen told the officers he ran out of gas after dropping a passenger off at the train station. Crossen was not intoxicated at the time, but when officers ran his license, they learned it was suspended. He was taken into custody and charged with one felony count of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without inspection.

Lyft says that Crossen was not working as a driver at the time and has not driven for the ride-sharing company since April. Lyft issued a statement saying that he passed a background check and a DMV check in March. They have permanently banned Crossen from working for the company.

"The driver's license this individual provided when applying to drive with Lyft did not show any disqualifying driving records," a spokeswoman said. "He has not driven on the Lyft platform since April and is permanently banned from driving with Lyft."

Photo: Getty Images


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