Two American college students remain in Danish custody facing assault charges after a spring break Uber ride went dangerously wrong, with conflicting claims about who initiated the physical altercation.

At a Glance

• Owen Ray, 19, and a friend were arrested at Copenhagen airport on April 1 while attempting to leave Denmark
• The incident stemmed from an Uber dispute over a wrong destination address, which escalated to physical confrontation
• Ray’s parents claim their son was “the victim of an unprovoked attack” while the Uber driver reported being assaulted
• Payment receipts confirm Ray paid for the ride, contradicting allegations of fare evasion
• Both students will remain in pre-trial detention until at least April 24

Spring Break Trip Takes Dramatic Turn

What began as a typical spring break excursion to Copenhagen for 19-year-old Miami University of Ohio student Owen Ray and his friend quickly deteriorated into an international legal ordeal on March 31. The trouble started when the students entered an incorrect destination in their Uber app, leading to a confrontation that would ultimately land both Americans in Danish custody. Their vacation plans were replaced with detention cells after being apprehended at the airport gate while attempting to return home.

Copenhagen police confirmed that the students were arrested on March 31 and brought before the court charged with common assault. Initially sentenced to 10 days of pre-trial detention, this period has since been extended until April 24, keeping them in Denmark for nearly a month after the incident. The timing of the arrest was particularly devastating for Ray’s family, who expected to celebrate Easter together but instead received shocking news.

Conflicting Accounts of the Altercation

The sequence of events remains contested, with dramatically different versions from each side. According to Ray’s family, the students input the wrong destination in the Uber app. Upon realizing the mistake, they attempted to exit the vehicle, at which point the driver allegedly accused them of not paying for the ride. Ray’s parents maintain that payment records from his Uber account confirm the fare was indeed paid, seemingly contradicting the driver’s claim.

Ray claims that after exiting the vehicle, the driver followed and physically attacked him, kicking him and prompting Ray to push back in self-defense. During this exchange, the driver reportedly fell. The students then left the scene, believing the matter was resolved. Uber, however, reports that the driver informed them he was assaulted by the students, presenting a stark contrast to the Americans’ account of events. A video of the altercation was reportedly shown in court, though its contents have not been publicly disclosed.

Parents Plead for Son’s Release

Ray’s parents have made public appeals for their son’s release, emphasizing their belief in his innocence. They’ve hired crisis management PR representative Erin Pelton, who has previous ties to the Biden administration, to help navigate the international incident. The family’s statement forcefully asserts that Ray and his friend were victims, not aggressors, in the encounter with the Uber driver.

The students were reportedly detained as “flight risks” while attempting to board their previously scheduled return flight to the United States. Jordan Finfer, presumably connected to the case, noted that Ray “is likely to be detained through the end of the month” despite, in Finfer’s view, never being properly charged. Further complicating matters, a five-day court holiday over Easter may delay the next hearing.

Official Responses and International Implications

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged awareness of the situation but remains limited in its public commentary. The department confirmed it is providing appropriate consular assistance to the detained Americans while emphasizing privacy considerations. Uber, meanwhile, released a statement underlining its priority on user safety without addressing the specific details of this incident.

The case highlights the potential legal complications Americans can face while traveling abroad, where different legal systems may operate with unfamiliar procedures and timelines. As the April 24 court date approaches, the students remain in Danish custody, far from the spring break experience they had anticipated and facing serious legal consequences in a foreign justice system.