Tabitha Turner, NBA and WNBA reporter, said she was assaulted by driver Nicole Smith on Saturday (21) after being picked up at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
“I just wanted to get home from work and see my daughter. I’m receiving threats,” said the reporter for the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream in a press conference on Wednesday (25).
Turner stated that she selected the Uber Comfort option, which allows passengers to choose the ride preferences. Miguel Dominguez, the reporter’s lawyer, said she chose a cool ride.
“One of the first things she noticed when the Uber arrived was that it was clearly not a Comfort vehicle,” said the lawyer. According to Dominguez, it was over 32°C that day, and the air conditioning was off.
Turner asked the driver to turn on the air conditioning, but the driver allegedly became irritated and asked the reporter to get out of the car on the highway shoulder.
Smith claimed she kept the windows down in case a passenger felt sick. Turner replied that she would only leave the car if the fare was refunded, at which point the driver pepper-sprayed the reporter.
A passing driver stopped and began recording the altercation, later providing the footage to the police.
An arrest warrant was issued against Smith, who now faces charges of battery and simple assault. The driver stated on her social media that she acted in self-defense.
NBA reporter Tabitha Turner claims her Uber driver beat her, pepper-sprayed her, then physically removed her from the car after she requested air conditioning on a hot day. The driver, charged with battery, claims she’s “lying” Thoughts? 👀 🤔
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) June 26, 2025
Photos: X @TabTurnerTV1. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
