Uber driver files lawsuit against Kiefer Sutherland alleging violent attack in Hollywood
The comedian is being sued by an Uber driver who alleges the actor assaulted him during a rideshare trip
Kiefer Sutherland is facing a civil lawsuit from an Uber driver who alleges the actor assaulted him during a rideshare trip in Hollywood earlier this year.
The 59-year-old actor was arrested in January following the incident, with police at the time stating that their investigation found the suspect had entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver, and made criminal threats.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the driver — identified as Rafael Manvelyan — has now filed a lawsuit alleging assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
Manvelyan claims Sutherland was “visibly intoxicated” when he entered the vehicle and became agitated during the ride due to communication difficulties, as the driver primarily speaks Russian and Armenian.
The lawsuit alleges that the situation escalated after Sutherland became “increasingly hostile, aggressive, confrontational,” and that he struck the driver “with closed fists” to the head, face, neck, and upper body while the vehicle was in motion.
Manvelyan further alleges that Sutherland placed him in a chokehold and threatened to kill him during the incident. He claims he managed to escape the vehicle but was allegedly followed by the actor, who continued shouting threats.
According to the filing, portions of the incident were captured on dashcam footage, and witnesses are expected to corroborate aspects of the altercation.
The driver also alleges he sustained injuries to his head, face, neck, spine, and shoulder, with responding officers reportedly observing visible swelling and bruising.
His attorney, Mitra Sabouri, said in a statement that her client pursued legal action to seek damages for the alleged injuries.
“Mr. Manvelyan is a private citizen who did not seek public attention. He filed this action to pursue legal remedies for the injuries and damages he alleges he suffered,” Sabouri said.
She added that the alleged dashcam footage would not be released publicly and would instead be addressed through the court process.
Manvelyan is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit follows Sutherland’s prior legal troubles. The actor previously served time in 2007 after being sentenced to 48 days in prison for DUI and probation violations.
He was also arrested in 2009 following an alleged nightclub altercation in New York City, though charges were later dropped. In 2020, he was arrested in California for making an illegal U-turn.
The latest case is now expected to proceed through the civil court system.
