Uber driver accused of refusing to pick up blind man and his guide dog

Robert Stigile was visiting Orlando from California

(Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

An Uber driver in Florida has been arrested after he was accused of refusing to give a ride to a blind man and his guide dog. He was also accused of hitting the man with his vehicle as he drove away.

Reports said that Robert Stigile, who was visiting Orlando from California, was at a restaurant with a group that included other blind people, when he ordered a van from Uber.

But CBS said that when Uber driver Simon Nau arrived to pick up Mr Stigile, he said that he did not transport animals. Mr Stigile explained that the dog - a yellow labrador - was a service animal and that he was blind.

The London trial is expected to last until Tuesday next week (YouTube)

Yet that, allegedly, was not sufficient explanation for the driver. He has been accused of driving away, and hitting Mr Stigile as he did so.

The alleged incident happened on July 4 at a Bahama Breeze restaurant in Orlando. Mr Stigile asked the restaurant valet’s to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to file a complaint.

Mr Nau has been charged with failing to transport a blind person with a service dog, and battery.