NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A rideshare driver was arrested Wednesday after Metro police reported he made sexual advances toward two sisters he had routinely driven to school each morning.
Anthony Etuk, 51, was taken into custody on Wednesday, May 15 on outstanding warrants for two counts of solicitation of a minor, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Police had been searching for Etuk, who was featured on Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list, for nearly a month after the two girls reported the incident on April 16.
The girls, ages 15 and 16, told investigators Etuk had picked them up in his gray Toyota Rav 4 that morning, as he had done for nearly a month.
According to court documents, Etuk was working for rideshare company HopSkipDrive. The company’s website says the platform connects “schools, families and CareDrivers for reliable cost-effective student transportation.”
During their ride that morning, the girls said Etuk was “getting flirtatious” and began asking them questions like “if they go clubbing or drink and where they will be over the summer since he can’t drive them anymore because they will be out of school,” according to Metro police.
He also reportedly asked the girls for pictures of themselves. As they were riding in the back seat of the car, the two sisters told officers they noticed Etuk unbuttoning his pants and exposing himself.
According to police, Etuk then started touching himself and later stopped at a Shell gas station to “clean himself up. One of the girls was reportedly able to capture the incident on video while recording with her phone.
Both girls said Etuk appeared to be taking wrong turns purposefully in order to extend the ride. He then dropped them off at school, where they later met with officers. They were able to show police the video, along with Etuk’s license plate and a photo of him from the rideshare app, according to Metro police.
After speaking with the victims’ mother, officials said she decided to press charges against Etuk. Jail records show he was booked into the Davidson County jail on May 15 and released one day later.
In a statement provided to News 2, a spokesperson for HopSkipDrive said Etuk’s access to the app was immediately revoked after the company learned of the report last month. The full statement is below.
“Safety is everything to HopSkipDrive and the driver’s alleged behavior described in this report is abhorrent and completely unacceptable. Immediately upon learning of this report last month, we removed this driver’s access to our platform as we investigated and have been in touch with our clients at Metro Nashville Public Schools to support them and extend our support to the riders. We’ve also reached out to law enforcement to assist with their investigation in any way possible.
HopSkipDrive spokesperson
Since day one, HopSkipDrive has invested in tools and products to put safety at the core of everything we do. This includes a 15-point certification for drivers, live ride telematics, a dedicated Safe Ride Support team, and publishing our safety data annually to lead the industry with transparency. This work is never done and we’re committed to continually raising the bar for the industry.”
A spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools said the school system has contracted transportation through the app on a limited basis for students who need specialized routes to get to a school.
The school system’s full statement regarding the incident is below.
This was a very unfortunate situation, and we regret any pain it may have caused the students involved. We have use contracted transportation on a limited basis for our H.E.R.O. program where students require specialized routes to get to a school. All drivers are required to go through a background check just like any other employee or volunteer at our schools. Upon notification of this incident, we reported the incident to DCS and MNPD for further investigation. HopSkipDrive acted immediately to ensure this driver was no longer used and put in place further safeguard to ensure the safety of all students in their care.
Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson
Etuk is among at least 109 “Most Wanted” fugitives who have been taken into custody since the program was launched in October 2022. Investigators have attributed the program’s success to tips from the public.
To see this week’s list of “Most Wanted'” fugitives out of Nashville, click here.
