A woman from British Columbia suffering from a neurological disorder is relieved as a Toronto ride-hailing driver has finally returned her mobility device, which she accidentally left in his car back in October. Bronwyn Berg, along with her son and Lyft, had made numerous attempts to retrieve the $8,000-SmartDrive device that powers her wheelchair, with no success.
The absence of the motorized assistive device, an electronic wheel that enhances her wheelchair’s maneuverability over hills and uneven terrain, has severely limited Berg’s mobility, confining her to her home for months. While expressing her joy at getting the device back, Berg also shared her exhaustion from the prolonged ordeal.
Berg, who has been in a wheelchair for about nine years due to her condition, had acquired the SmartDrive seven years ago. However, being on disability support, she cannot afford to replace the wheel at the cost of $8,000. The Lyft driver eventually sent the device via FedEx to Berg’s son in Toronto after agreeing to return it following contact from CBC Toronto.
Despite the return of the SmartDrive, the driver failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for keeping the device since October when Berg accidentally left it in his car trunk during a trip from her son’s apartment to the airport. The situation escalated after multiple attempts to retrieve the device, involving Lyft and Toronto Police.
Lyft took action by decommissioning the driver, deeming his behavior unacceptable. The company expressed readiness to assist law enforcement with any investigation. Berg’s son emphasized the need for stricter policies to compel drivers to cooperate promptly when passengers’ essential belongings are misplaced, especially when it involves crucial medical equipment like the SmartDrive.