A Vail taxi driver told a Los Angeles-area newspaper that he picked up Kobe Bryant and three bodyguards at a Glenwood Springs, Colo., hospital less than a day after the NBA superstar was accused of sexual assault while staying at an exclusive Vail resort.

Terry O'Brien, 38, also told The Orange County Register that Bryant was flanked by Eagle County sheriff's deputies at the emergency room of Valley View Hospital early in the morning of July 2.

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Bryant, 24, is accused of sexual assault, and prosecutors are expected to decide by the end of the week whether to charge him. Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, says he is innocent and expects to be exonerated.

An arrest warrant claims Bryant assaulted a 19-year-old woman June 30 at a hotel. Officials at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards have confirmed Bryant stayed there June 30 to July 2.

A source told 7NEWS that the woman works at the exclusive resort, but officials at Cordillera would not disclose any information.

According to the cabbie's account, Bryant was accompanied by three members of his entourage and was in the presence of sheriff's deputies when he arrived at the hospital about 2:30 a.m. July 2.

Bryant pulled a towel over his head before ducking down into the back seat of the cab, O'Brien said. He said he dropped the Los Angeles Lakers' guard and two members of the entourage at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, then gave the third bodyguard a ride to the Spa in Vail, 40 miles away.

The man "cleared out" Bryant's belongings, O'Brien said. When the trip ended at 5 a.m. the fare of $372 was paid by bodyguard Michael Ortiz, the cabbie said.

"The whole thing was pretty weird and pretty fishy," O'Brien told the Register. "Bryant was laying in the back seat with a towel over his head trying not to be seen while three men were taking care of all the details."

Eagle County sheriff's officials could not immediately be reached to comment on why Bryant was at the hospital. Bryant was in Colorado for surgery on his right knee at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Joe Hoy said the alleged victim is on a family vacation but is expected to return this week. He said he was concerned about the pressure on the woman and frustrated that there was more attention on Bryant.

"To me, the sad part is if this hadn't been who it involved, this wouldn't even be a blip on anyone's radar screen," he said. "Personally, I think they're focusing on our suspect rather than on the victim."

He also said investigators have sent unspecified evidence to the state Bureau of Investigation for analysis, but refused to discuss other details of the case. A bureau official would only say the work has begun.

Bryant, a five-time NBA All-Star, surrendered to authorities last Friday and was released after posting $25,000 bond.

Bryant lives in Los Angeles with his wife of three years, Vanessa Laine, and their infant daughter, Natalia.

The allegations are a shock to his teammates and his legions of fans because Bryant has an image as a clean-cut, dignified, NBA celebrity, who does not stir up trouble. Since entering the NBA straight from high school at the age of 18, Bryant has drawn comparisons to the league's great players.