Uber driver saves 16-year-old girl from sex trafficking in California

Uber driver Keith Avila called the police after driving the girl and two alleged pimps to a hotel

Uber driver Keith Avila shared his story on Facebook Live, in a video which has now been seen nearly 170,000 times (Keith Avila/Facebook)

An Uber driver is being celebrated as a hero after saving a 16-year-old girl from sex trafficking.

Uber driver Keith Avila called the police after driving the girl and two alleged pimps to a hotel in California and fearing they could be involved in prostitution.

Elk Grove Police arrested three people and found the girl was a 16-year-old was a runaway.

Mr Avila shared his story on Facebook Live, in a video which has now been seen nearly 170,000 times.

“What gave me chills is, the next day [police] said she was reunited with her family,” Mr Avila told The Daily Beast. “She was missing. I felt kind of good about that.”

Mr Avila said he had a bad feeling about the group when he noticed the girl's dress was too short and she was being coached by the women about what to do when she arrived at the hotel.

“OK, here’s what you do. Before we get inside, you want to hug the guy," one of the women allegedly said. "The first thing you ask is, ‘Do you have any weapons?’ “When you’re hugging them, pat them down. Check for weapons.”

She then told the girl to ask for her "donation" and get the money before going into the hotel room.

"When I heard that, it was so obvious," Mr Avila said. "There was no thought process. I'm going to call the police."

Police arrested Destiny Pettway, 25, and Maria Westley, 31, who allegedly arranged for the young girl to meet a man at the hotel. Both women were charged with pimping.

Disney Vang, the suspected "customer", was arrested in a room with the girl for unlawful sexual activity with a minor.