A missing Lyft driver from Georgia has left his family and friends filled with worry following his mysterious disappearance after accepting a significant long-distance ride. Leonard John Beiner, who was 57 and worked part-time as a Lyft driver, was last heard from on July 18, when he agreed to take a passenger on a 400-mile trip from Ball Ground, Georgia, to Jacksonville, Florida.
Initial reports indicate Beiner had no other rides scheduled for the day, leading his family to fear the worst after losing contact with him for over two weeks. His son, Jhaydon Ragsdale, expressed growing concern, explaining how his father's phone eventually went straight to the operator line after initially ringing. He stated, "The first few days, I tried calling him. The phone rang and after a few days, it went straight to the operator line." Beiner’s family hesitated to file a missing person's report sooner because he had previously isolated himself during struggles with drug addiction. Ragsdale noted, "It’s not abnormal for him to avoid contact with people. What became concerning was when his phone went silent and he stopped posting on social media. That was well over a week after we last heard from him."
Leonard Beiner's last known appearance was at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he checked himself in on July 22 but left the next day, still without any clear communication with his loved ones. This gap has led police to investigate whether he ever gave the passenger the ride he was hired for, as Lyft records reportedly show no evidence of any scheduled out-of-state drop-offs for Beiner on July 18.
His vehicle, described as a blue Hyundai Santa Fe with Florida plates, may have been towed, as it was last associated with him at the hospital. Authorities confirm they are actively looking for Beiner, whose physical description is 5-foot-7, weighing 225 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. He also uses a cane, which raises concerns about his ability to navigate alone during this troubling incident.
These events have set off alarm bells both within the community and across the state as local law enforcement continues to gather leads. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has confirmed it is cooperating with the investigation and urges anyone with information on Beiner's whereabouts to come forward. A spokesperson stated, "Our thoughts are with Mr. Beiner’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, and we’ve been working closely with law enforcement to assist them with their investigation."
Public interest has surged not only for Beiner but also for the safety risks associated with ridesharing, particularly on longer trips. Lyft has specific rules about long rides; typically, they don’t permit rides exceeding 100 miles outside their designated service area. However, locals point out the app still allows requests for these long-distance drives, which complicates matters for their drivers.
The case of Beiner's disappearance has highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of drivers and the unpredictability of ridesharing regulations. While law enforcement embarks on this search, it serves as a reminder for passengers and drivers to take every precaution possible. With every piece of new information released, family and friends cling to hope for Beiner's safe return.
Jackie Menton, a Lyft spokesperson, shared, "Mr. Beiner’s case is heartbreaking. Our team is always working to improve the safety of our drivers and riders. We encourage anyone who may have seen Mr. Beiner or his vehicle to come forward. It is our priority to not only support the investigation but to also learn from these incidents and safeguard our community."
This story continues to evolve as family and friends await positive news, feeling the weight of uncertainty as days drag on. The community's efforts to spread the word have amplified, with social media posts gaining traction and new leads being explored with every passing hour. For many, the hope is to see Beiner return home safely, where he belongs, supported by those who care about him most.