Two American students are currently incarcerated in Denmark following an incident involving an Uber ride during their spring break travels.
Owen Ray, 19, a student from Miami University in Ohio who was studying abroad, and his companion were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1st. According to Ray’s family, the situation arose while they were traveling.
“Owen Ray and his friend were victims of an unprovoked verbal and physical attack initiated by an Uber driver,” a representative for the Ray family shared. “They did not provoke any escalation.”
According to Sara Buchen-Ray, Owen’s mother, the trouble began when Ray mistakenly entered an incorrect address into the Uber app. Subsequently, he and his friend requested to be let out of the vehicle. The situation then rapidly deteriorated.
Buchen-Ray recounted:
“The driver threatened to involve law enforcement and physically assaulted Owen, kicking him in the groin. In response, Owen pushed the driver to the ground before both students fled the scene.”
Despite attempting to return to their hotel and prepare for their departure flight the following morning, the two students were apprehended by Danish authorities upon arrival at Copenhagen Airport.
“We implore the Danish authorities to acknowledge Owen’s innocence and grant him immediate release,” the family spokesperson stated. “Our family is devastated and desperately wants our son home in time for Easter.”
The Copenhagen police confirmed that both Ray and his friend have been charged with common assault and initially sentenced to a ten-day period of pre-trial detention, now extended until April 24th.
A statement from the U.S. State Department acknowledged the situation: “We are aware of reports regarding two U.S. citizens detained in Denmark. Staff at our embassy in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance. The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad remains a top priority for the Department.”
Uber released their own statement, asserting that the driver reported being assaulted by the riders and emphasizing passenger safety: “The safety of everyone who uses the Uber app is a top priority, and we take reports of violence very seriously.”
- Miami University has not yet responded to requests for comment.
- Ray’s attorney based in Denmark did not immediately respond to inquiries.
