Two American College Students Released from Danish Jail Following Altercation with Rideshare Driver

Owen Ray, a 19-year-old student at Miami University in Ohio, and his unnamed friend, were taken into custody at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 following an alleged altercation with an Uber driver

Two American college students have been released from a Danish prison nearly two weeks after their spring break trip to Copenhagen took an unexpected turn. Owen Ray, a 19-year-old student at Miami University in Ohio and a native of Chicago, and his friend—whose identity has not been disclosed—were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 following a confrontation with an Uber driver the previous night.

According to Ray, the incident began on March 31 when he and his friend mistakenly entered the wrong address into the Uber app. Upon realizing the error, they asked the driver to take them to a different destination. The driver allegedly refused, prompting the students to cancel the ride and exit the vehicle.

Ray stated that a short while later, after walking a few blocks, the Uber driver pulled up beside them, exited his car, and began yelling, apparently under the impression he had not been paid. Ray asserted that the driver had, in fact, received payment. The confrontation escalated when the driver allegedly kicked Ray in the groin. In response, Ray said he shoved the driver, causing him to fall, and he and his friend fled the scene.

The teenaged student, a Chicago native, said he and a friend were in an Uber on March 31 when they realized they had entered the wrong address for their destination. Pictured: Owen Ray (center right) with friends in Copenhagen, Denmark

Ray recalled the incident as deeply unsettling, saying, "We were both just very shocked about the fact that we were being arrested over this incident. We had done nothing wrong." The following day, as the pair attempted to fly home, they were arrested at the airport. Local authorities deemed them flight risks and charged them with common assault.

Ray described his detainment as distressing, especially the initial 36 hours when he was unable to contact anyone. He eventually managed to send a text message to his mother using a court phone. His mother, Sara Buchen-Ray, traveled to Denmark to support him during the ordeal.

After appearing before a judge, Ray and his friend were informed they would be held in a Danish prison for ten days. They were released from custody on April 14, but their passports have not been returned, and they remain in Denmark. Ray is required to check in with police daily while the case remains under review. Authorities are expected to either drop the charges or set a trial date.

The boys were released from the Copenhagen jail on Monday, however, Ray - and his friend - remain in Denmark, with Ray's family saying that Danish authorities are holding their passports

In a statement, Ray’s parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, expressed relief at their son’s release. "The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay," they said. They emphasized that their son and his friend did nothing to provoke the altercation and called on Danish authorities to recognize their innocence.

Ray shared hopes of returning home to celebrate Easter with his family, stating, "I think the best case would be for the Danish police and the prosecutor to drop the case at this point, because we're completely innocent, and for them to return us our passports and allow us to head back to the United States."

The teen said Danish authorities are holding their passports and that they have to check in with police daily until they get an update on the case

A spokesperson for the rideshare company involved stated that customer safety is a top priority and that all reports of violence are taken seriously. The company referred further inquiries to Danish authorities.

The U.S. State Department acknowledged the case, stating that embassy staff in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance, and reaffirmed that the safety of U.S. citizens abroad is a high priority. No further details have been released due to privacy considerations.