Blind woman says Uber driver left her stranded at wrong location in North Carolina

A blind woman alleged her Uber driver left her stranded after dropping her off at the wrong location during a May ride in North Carolina.

Kamille Richardson recounted her "traumatizing" experience at a press conference this week alongside her attorney and sister. Despite being blind since birth, the business owner considers herself an independent traveler.

On Mother's Day, Richardson requested an Uber to a Verizon store in Raleigh − which she has visited several times − because she had issues with her phone.

"We arrive at a location, and we get out of the car. I immediately knew that I wasn't in the right spot," Richardson recalled in the briefing posted Tuesday. "Although I'm blind, I'm very much aware of my surroundings."

She asked the driver if they were at the Verizon store, to which he replied, "Yes." As they were walking, Richardson said she knew she was not at the right location, especially when the driver started to knock on an apartment door.

"I said, 'see, I knew we weren't at the Verizon store.' And then he immediately said, 'Well, I can't help you, I have to pick somebody up at the airport.' And he proceeds to run to his car, jump in, and drive away," said Richardson.

Previously:Uber driver accused of breaking into passenger's home, raping her, after dropping her off

Richardson said she felt like her life was in danger

This prompted her to contact a family friend, who instructed her to call the police. She informed the dispatcher that she didn't know where she was.

"I'm often in rideshares," she added. "I've been using them since its inception. Until that day, I never felt like my life was actually in danger because of the fact that I'm blind. I've never lived in fear at all.'

When the police arrived, they put her in the car and took her to the Verizon store, which was only minutes away.

Attorney calls incident a 'clear case of discrimination based on her disability'

Richardson's attorney said they have contacted Uber to demand an apology and accountability from the driver and others who have acted in a similar manner.

"Her terrifying story on what happened to her while on what should have been a mere ordinary trip to get a cellphone repair is a clear case of discrimination based on her disability," Attorney Aviance Brown of Disability Law United added.

Brown said they also offered Uber an opportunity to work with her client on accessibility training for their drivers but have not received a response. They are also calling for the local police department to investigate the matter.

"We apologize for Ms Richardson's stressful experience," read a statement from Uber to USA TODAY. "We have investigated this issue, which appears to have been a result of a map error that directed the driver to an incorrect drop off location, and have addressed the map issue.

"Our goal is to create a platform that supports people's ability to easily move around their communities, and we’re committed to building features, and working with experts to make the Uber platform more accessible," the company continued.

Brown encouraged Uber to use this incident as an opportunity to "create a solution" for other riders with impairments.

"Rideshare services are frequently relied upon by many of us, including those with disabilities, and they also deserve the right to live self-sufficient, independent lives," Brown said.

Taylor Ardrey is a Trending News Reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.