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Family of Georgia Lyft driver haven’t heard from him since he was hired to drive nearly 400 miles to Jacksonville

Leonard Beiner checked in and out of an Atlanta hospital and hasn’t been heard from since

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – The family of a Georgia Lyft driver who was hired to drive to Jacksonville from Cherokee County, Georgia, is concerned about his welfare.

They say they haven’t heard from Leonard Beiner since July 18 -- nearly two weeks ago.

Cherokee County is about 45 minutes north of Atlanta. News4JAX checked with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and we were told that Atlanta police had taken over the investigation.

But when we contacted Atlanta police, they sent us back to Cherokee County for information on the case.

Law enforcement did confirm that Beiner checked into a hospital in Atlanta on July 22 and checked out on July 23.

They could not confirm if the 57-year-old part-time Lyft driver took a nearly 400-mile trip to Jacksonville that he was hired for.

Map from Cherokee County, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida

His family has not been able to reach him and his phone is not accepting calls.

He was last believed to be driving a blue Hyundai Santa Fe with a Florida license plate.

News4JAX is told he walks with a cane.

According to Lyft’s website, there are rules about trips outside of certain areas, like you can take a Lyft outside of the coverage area as long as the ride doesn’t exceed a distance of 100 miles total.

But when News4JAX checked the Lyft app, options to book a trip from Jacksonville to Atlanta were available. It said the nearly 350-mile trip would cost just shy of $400.

If you’ve seen Beiner, or know where he might be, you are asked to call law enforcement.


About the Author
Chris Will headshot

Chris Will has joined the News4JAX team as a weekend morning reporter, after graduating from the University of Florida in spring 2024. During his time in Gainesville, he covered a wide range of stories across the Sunshine State. His coverage of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

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