Woman Chokes, Bites Uber Driver In St. Pete: Sheriff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 55-year-old St. Petersburg woman assaulted an Uber driver Saturday from the backseat of a car as he drove her to her destination, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

"The victim was providing an 'Uber' ride for the defendant, Michele Christine Stilwell," the arrest affidavit said. "The defendant, unprovoked, reached forward and proceeded to choke the victim from behind while he was driving."

Stilwell began choking him with both hands and then later her arm, deputies said. He pulled the car over near 49th Street North and 47th Avenue North as she continued to attack him. She then crawled forward onto the center console of the vehicle and bit the driver on the neck, which caused him to bleed, according to the affidavit. The suspect also scratched his chest. When he tried to call 9-1-1, deputies said she smacked his cell phone out of his hand.

Authorities said she continued to bite, strangle and claw at the driver who couldn't defend himself. Eventually multiple witnesses saw what was happening, and ran to the car and pulled him free from Stilwell.

Stilwell was arrested on an aggravated battery charge and tampering with a witness, according to the arrest report. Deputies said she was under the influence of alcohol.

The victim did receive medical treatment.