He thought he’d be alone in the ER, but his Uber driver stayed — 7 years later they’re still friends

It was the start of a lifelong friendship when college senior Joey Romano made a decision that changed his life forever.

Seven years ago, after a painful accident near the University of Texas at Austin, a simple Uber ride evolved into a powerful story of kindness, support, and gratitude that continues to inspire people today.

A life-changing accident that sparked a lifelong friendship

Joey was skateboarding near campus when he suddenly swerved to avoid a car. He lost balance and crashed into a ditch, breaking his wrist.

The pain was immediate, but even in that moment, Joey was thinking about the cost of help.

“I didn’t have very good insurance, and I was worried about the cost,” Joey, now 29, tells TODAY.com.

Instead of calling an ambulance, he decided to order an Uber.

It seemed like a small decision at the time, but it would become one that brought a stranger into his life—someone who would change it forever.

The Uber driver who chose kindness over work

When Uber driver Beni Lukumu arrived, he found Joey still lying on the ground.

Without hesitation, Beni helped him into the car and reclined the seat so he could rest comfortably.

Their first stop was an urgent care center, but the injury was too severe, and the doctors sent them to the emergency room.

Beni insisted on driving Joey to the hospital at no charge. When he learned that the student had no family nearby, his decision was clear.

As an immigrant from the Congo, Beni knew what it was like to be far from home and alone in a time of need.

“It wasn’t even a question for me,” Beni, who now works in insurance, tells the outlet. “I was staying with Joey. He needed somebody to be by his side.”

Support that turned a ride into a friendship

At the hospital, Beni didn’t just drop him off. He stayed and helped check Joey into the ER, waiting beside him for nearly six hours.

He missed an entire afternoon of work, but he didn’t mind. His focus was on offering support and comfort.

Joey later said that despite being in pain and on medication, he immediately felt calm in Beni’s presence. It was as if they had known each other for years.

When Joey’s grandmother arrived from Houston later that evening, she tried to pay Beni for his help.

However, he refused, accepting her invitation to join them for dinner only. That meal sealed the beginning of their lifelong friendship, one that has lasted for more than seven years.

Healing through kindness and gratitude

What Beni didn’t know at the time was that Joey was dealing with more than physical pain.

Years earlier, he had lost his younger brother, Johnny, to leukemia. The loss had left him emotionally shut down and struggling to connect with others.

For years, Joey kept to himself, avoiding deep relationships because the pain felt too heavy. Meeting Beni changed that.

His kindness reminded Joey that there was still good in the world—and that not all losses lead to isolation.

“That one act of kindness helped me see the good in the world again,” Joey says.

Joey later shared that spending an entire day with a stranger who expected nothing in return helped him rebuild his trust in people.

He began looking for ways to give back, inspired by the man who once gave him a ride when he needed it most.

A lifelong friendship that continues to inspire

Today, Joey works as a renewable energy developer. At the same time, Beni—an accomplished gospel singer—continues his career in insurance in Austin. Although they no longer see each other often, they still keep in touch a few times a year, checking in to ensure the other is doing well.

Joey often reflects on that day with deep gratitude, calling it one of the most defining moments of his life. Beni’s selfless support helped him find hope again.

For Beni, the bond they built is a testament to the power of compassion. He believes that even the smallest act of care can create a ripple effect that changes lives.

“The world is so divided right now,” he says. “What we need is love and kindness.”

The power of one kind act

What began as a painful accident became a lesson in kindness and human connection.

A simple Uber ride turned two strangers into lifelong friends, united by gratitude, respect, and mutual support.

Their story demonstrates that even in the most challenging moments, compassion can guide the way forward.

Sometimes, all it takes is one person’s choice to care—a reminder that the simplest gestures can lead to a lifelong friendship that heals hearts and restores faith in humanity.