Close Ad

Uber Driver Eavesdrops On Passengers' Conversation - Ends Up Saving Girl From 2 Dangerous Women
Uber Driver Eavesdrops On Passengers' Conversation - Ends Up Saving Girl From 2 Dangerous Women
Uplifting News

Uber Driver Eavesdrops On Passengers' Conversation - Ends Up Saving Girl From 2 Dangerous Women

Keith Avila never thought his eavesdropping would end up saving a life.

Uber driver Keith Avila has driven hundreds of people around California, but this particular ride was different.

Recounting the details to PEOPLE, he said that a girl who looked around 12-years-old got into the backseat wearing a short skirt. She was followed by two women, who directed Avila to take them to Holiday Inn.


Odd occupants

During the ride, the women asked Avila to increase the volume of the music as they then turned to speak to the girl. Avila perked up his ears and couldn't believe what he heard.

The lady in the back started getting really upset. She was yelling at the girl, ‘You need to get your priorities straight. We need to make this money.'

- Keith Avila

At first, Avila wasn't sure if the money was related to drugs or some other deal. However, the woman's next instructions left no doubt as to what was really going on.

“The woman told the girl to get the donation first,” he recalled. “She said, ‘Ask if they have your donation before you go into the room.’”

At that moment, he pieced the whole sordid scenario together: The women were pimps and that the girl was a victim of sex trafficking. And Avila was driving them to a hotel.

A heroic act

Avila, a father himself, knew he had to do something - and fast.

“It wasn’t 99.999 percent. It was 100 percent. And I knew I had to do something, but I didn’t know exactly how I was going to do it," he admitted.

And so, immediately after dropping off the passengers, Avila alerted the police, also relaying the hotel room (110) number he overheard.

Minutes after his call, Avila recounted the details in a Facebook Live video that's been viewed over 185,000 times.

I told police, ‘If you don’t come, I’m going to go in there myself and take pictures of these guys.'

- Keith Avila

It turned out that Avila's horrific hunch was right: The girl - 16-years-old - was a sex slave and the two women were allegedly involved in sex trafficking.

Police arrested Destiny Pettway, 25, and Maria Westley, 31, on charges of pimping and threatening a minor. Police also arrested 20-year-old Disney Vang, who was found in the hotel room with the young girl.

There's no strangers when someone's in danger

Avila says that his conscience gave him no choice but to act.

I knew what was happening and I would never have been able to ignore it. It was the right thing to do.

Keith Avila

An Uber spokesperson said Avila deserves a 5-star salute.

He could’ve said nothing. Went on his way, collected his fare. And then that 16-year-old victim could’ve been victimized again by who knows how many different people over the next couple of days, weeks, months.

- Uber spokesperson

It could be a woman on a sketchy date, a distress signal at the veterinary, or an underage girl in the backseat of an Uber. In either case, a perfect stranger turned into family and helped a loved one.

More uplifting news

Follow your instincts
If you have an inkling that something isn't right, follow it. It may save someone's life.

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Dr Dre points up at text that says 25 rapper quotes to motivate you
Goalcast

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musicians
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News