A tragic incident unfolded in Phoenix when a 74-year-old rideshare driver, Samuel Webster, was killed after being run over multiple times by his own vehicle.
Incident Details
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, around 5:15 p.m., police responded to reports of a pedestrian-involved crash near 40th Street and Baseline Road. Webster was found with severe injuries and rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators revealed that an argument between Webster and his passenger, 31-year-old Jordan Spalding, escalated when both exited the vehicle. Spalding reportedly re-entered the car and ran over Webster multiple times, leading to his fatal injuries.
Conflicting Claims
Spalding alleged in court documents that Webster had tried to rape her, but police reported finding no evidence of an attack at the scene. Authorities also noted that Spalding admitted to using fentanyl earlier that day.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Spalding has been charged with second-degree murder. She is being held on a $1 million bond, with her next court appearance scheduled for Jan. 27.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
The incident has sparked concerns within the local community, particularly among rideshare drivers, about the risks they face while on the job. Drivers have called for increased safety measures, including enhanced background checks for passengers and the implementation of emergency response features within rideshare platforms. Advocacy groups are urging companies to address these issues to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers.
Unanswered Questions
Authorities have not disclosed the rideshare company Webster was working for at the time of the incident.
