The car-renting app Turo is in the spotlight after both the cars used in the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks on New Year's Day were rented through the company.
In New Orleans, a pickup truck rammed through busy Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens while a Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring seven more.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the truck used in the blast was rented through the app while Turo confirmed to NewsNation that a host vehicle was involved in the New Orleans attack.
“We are heartbroken to learn that one of our host’s vehicles was involved in this awful incident. We are actively partnering with the FBI. We are not currently aware of anything in this guest’s background that would have identified him as a trust and safety threat to us at the time of the reservation,” a spokesperson for Turo told News Nation.
McMahill said authorities believe the two attacks to be two isolated incidents, calling the use of the app a "coincidence," but that investigations are still underway.
Turo, according to its website, is a car rental marketplace where individuals can rent cars from “trusted hosts” in a local area. The app claims to be the "world's largest car sharing marketplace.”
In order to book on Turo, a person needs to provide a driver’s license, be above 18 and provide personal information to get approved by the app.
Cars are acquired through pickup, delivery, or some hosts give remote access by keeping the keys in a lock box or using an app.
"Entrepreneurs can take the wheel of their futures by becoming hosts and building car sharing businesses on Turo, leveraging an established platform to scale their businesses and meet their goals," the app says. "With Turo, everyone has the power to get in the driver's seat."
The Hill has reached out to Turo for comment.
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, which also owns The Hill.
