Police say ride-share driver assaulted by passenger in central Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS — A driver for a ride-sharing service says he was strangled and hit by a passenger, who then stole the car before trying to run him over.

The incident happened near Ninth Street and Prairie Avenue about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, said police spokesman Samuel Clemens.

Gerald Pokee Killen, 19, of Sioux Falls was arrested at the scene on charges of robbery, grand theft, kidnapping, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

The driver, 48, told police that Killen was in the back seat and reached up and tried to strangle him, first with his hands and then with the seat belt. Clemens said the driver was able to stop the car by driving into a snowbank. Then Killen got in the front seat, hit the driver and took the keys, Clemens said.

Witnesses told police that Killen started to drive away but stopped and started backing up toward the driver.

“The victim had no idea why the attack happened,” Clemens said. “It seemed to be completely unprovoked.”

The driver was treated at a hospital but did not have serious injuries, he said.