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SALT LAKE CITY — A Lyft ride ended early for a Utah resident headed to a Bernie Sanders event in Salt Lake City last week. Samuel Grenny said that's because the eight-minute ride was filled with racist rants by his driver.
It was all captured on Grenny's girlfriend’s cellphone camera. In the video, the following conversation is heard:
Driver: "You better watch your mouth!”
Grenny: “Dude, you are the one that seriously … you told me in a cab that I'm paying for that Muslims are pieces of (expletive).”
Driver: “Muslims are pieces of (expletive).”
Grenny said it all started when their casual conversation turned to politics.
“He asked me opinions on Donald Trump. I guess, in hindsight, no one should do (that) if they don't want to hear the possible slew of answers that could follow,” he said.
As the conversation got ugly, Greeny said the driver at one point talked about his support for creating a Muslim database in the U.S. Grenny said he immediately shut the driver down with his opposing views.
“He snapped and … proceeded to explain to me that Muslims are terrorists,” Grenny said.
In the video, you can hear both men arguing about this subject:
Grenny: “Are you serious?”
Driver: “Why don't you pull your head out of your (expletive).”
Grenny: “Why don't you pick up a freaking book? Man, you are literally what is wrong with this country."
Lyft sent KSL News this statement about the incident: "Lyft is committed to maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment, and discrimination and racism are not tolerated. This driver's access to Lyft has been permanently removed."
Grenny and his girlfriend were dropped off six blocks away from their destination.
When Lyft found out about the incident, Grenny was sent an apology from the company and a full refund for the ride he'll never forget.
Email: amoser@ksl.com Twitter: @AshleyMoser
