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After Ride-Share Murder, New Jersey Changes the Law to Make Passengers Safer

New Jersey's governor on Thursday signed a law to improve rideshare safety in honor of Robbinsville, New Jersey, native Samantha "Sami" Josephson, a college student who was kidnapped and killed after she got into a car she mistakenly thought was an Uber.

By Emily Shapiro

New Jersey's governor on Thursday signed a law to improve rideshare safety in honor of Robbinsville, New Jersey, native Samantha "Sami" Josephson, a college student who was kidnapped and killed after she got into a car she mistakenly thought was an Uber.

Josephson, a 21-year-old senior at the University of South Carolina, was alone when she requested an Uber ride early on March 29, Columbia police said. After she got into a stranger's car — mistaking it for her Uber — the child safely locks were activated, preventing her from escaping, police said.

She died from multiple sharp force injuries, officials said, and her body was recovered in a wooded area. A suspect was arrested.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law in Josephson's hometown. It will be known as "Sami's Law."

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