Jerido v. Uber Techs. Inc.

OPINION AND ORDER Defendant Uber Technologies, Inc. (“Uber” or “Defendant”) removed this personal injury action to this Court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction on March 17, 2022, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§1332, 1441, and 1446. (Dkt. #1). In broad summary, Plaintiff Ebony Jerido (“Plaintiff”) alleged that Defendant was responsible for injuries that she suffered when she was struck and dragged by a vehicle driven by Uber driver Shree K. Syangtan on January 2, 2018. After the accident, Plaintiff filed two separate actions in New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County (“Bronx Supreme Court”). The first action was filed against Mr. Syangtan and Venture Leasing LLC (“Venture”). (See Verified Complaint, Jerido v. Syangtan, Index No. 24667/2018E (“Jerido I”) (Dkt. #9-2)). The second action — the instant case — was filed against Uber almost three years later. (See Verified Complaint, Jerido v. Uber Techs., Inc., Index No. 801508/2021E (“Jerido II”) (Dkt. #9-3)). Uber timely removed Jerido II to this Court. Jerido I remains pending in state court. Plaintiff now moves to join Mr. Syangtan and Venture (together, the “Jerido I Defendants”) as parties in this action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20, and to then remand the action to state court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1447(e). For the reasons set forth in the remainder of this Opinion, the Court grants Plaintiff’s motion. BACKGROUND¹ This action arises from a motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff Ebony Jerido claims to have been struck and dragged by Uber driver Shree K. Syangtan’s vehicle on January 2, 2018, in the vicinity of 160 East 153rd Street in the Bronx. (VAC

37-38; Pl. Br. 5; Bill of Particulars