Tragic Incident Involving Colorado Athlete and Uber Driver
A Colorado athlete, who previously aimed for a place on the U.S. Olympic shot put team, is facing serious charges after allegedly killing an Uber driver and leaving his body in a field, according to police reports. Authorities stated that she felt “trapped” and was looking for a “fun ride.”
Kyla Dawson, 27, who took part in the Olympic Trials last year, was charged on Sunday for fatally stabbing 38-year-old rideshare driver Jeremy Campbell with a meat cleaver and subsequently stealing his car and wallet, as reported by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Dawson, a former college track and field standout from Colorado Springs, was the last person on Campbell’s driving list around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday. This detail emerged after Campbell’s father reported him missing the following day.
Initially, Dawson told police that she called the Uber to meet a friend, but later changed her narrative. She eventually expressed that she “felt trapped” and wanted to escape the confines of her home for a “fun drive” to grab some fresh air, the arrest report detailed.
The police allege that Dawson claimed she fell asleep in the back of the vehicle, only to wake up and find Campbell trying to touch her. She admitted to using a weapon, claiming that Campbell had drawn a knife, prompting her to pull it out for self-defense.
Following the incident, she is believed to have left Campbell’s body near a hiking trail in Eastonville before returning to her apartment.
Authorities acted quickly to ping the driver’s phone, which directed them to Dawson’s residence at Polaris Junction.
When officers searched her apartment, they reportedly found a large knife missing from the kitchen and the driver’s wallet concealed in a lunch box on top of a cabinet.
Dawson is now facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, second-degree motor vehicle theft, and tampering with physical evidence.
During the 2024 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, she placed 22nd overall with a shot put distance of 16.86 meters, failing to qualify for the final team, as noted by the Colorado Chapter of USA Track and Field.
