Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing service, is under intense scrutiny following two tragic incidents involving vehicles rented through its platform. The first incident occurred in New Orleans, where Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the driver responsible for the fatal attack on Bourbon Street, rented a Ford F-150 Lightning truck from Turo. This truck was driven into a crowd, resulting in 15 deaths and numerous injuries. In a separate incident in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck, also rented through Turo, exploded outside the Trump Hotel. The explosion killed the driver and injured seven others. Investigations are ongoing in both cases.
Turo, which launched in 2010 as “RelayRides” and rebranded in 2015, operates as a car rental marketplace connecting private car owners with renters. Unlike traditional rental agencies, Turo doesn’t own the vehicles; instead, users rent directly from private individuals. To rent a car, users must be over 18, provide a valid driver’s license, and submit personal details for approval. The app allows renters to pick up vehicles in multiple ways, including in person or through keyless access.
In response to the incidents, Turo expressed its condolences and stated that it is cooperating with the FBI in both investigations. The company emphasized that there was no indication at the time of the reservations that either driver posed a safety threat. This has raised questions about the platform’s safety protocols, particularly with regard to vetting users.
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