Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, is under intense scrutiny following two tragic incidents on New Year’s Day involving vehicles rented through its service.
In New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar drove a rented Ford F-150 into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 fatalities and numerous injuries. After crashing, he exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with police, ultimately being fatally shot. Jabbar, an Army veteran, had recently converted to Islam and was found with an ISIS flag on the truck’s trailer hitch. Explosive devices were also discovered in the vehicle and a nearby Airbnb he had rented.
Source:- bbc news
On the same day in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck rented via Turo exploded outside the Trump International Hotel, killing the driver, Matthew Livelsberger, and injuring seven others. Livelsberger, an active-duty Army Green Beret, had sustained a gunshot wound prior to the explosion. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential terrorist act but has found no definitive link between the two attacks.
Source:- news 18
Turo has expressed shock and sadness over these events, stating that both individuals had passed background checks and held valid driver’s licenses. The company is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety protocols of peer-to-peer car-sharing services like Turo. Critics question the adequacy of background checks and the potential for vehicles to be used in criminal activities. Turo, founded in 2009, has grown significantly, operating in multiple countries and considering an IPO. The company emphasizes its commitment to safety and is reviewing its procedures to prevent misuse of its platform.
As investigations continue, Turo faces the challenge of addressing safety concerns while maintaining the convenience and accessibility that have driven its popularity in the car-sharing market.
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