Arizona State Police said Tuesday that a 31-year-old woman fatally struck a 74-year-old man multiple times with her car.
The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) said the elderly victim, Samuel Webster, was hospitalized and later died from his injuries. According to According to PPD, officers found the suspect, Jordan Spalding, in the driver's seat of the vehicle.
A woman was arrested Tuesday night after she allegedly struck and killed a rideshare driver, Phoenix police said. https://t.co/L80KldfO50
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Webster, a medical rideshare driver for Veyo, a non-emergency medical transportation company, picked up 31-year-old AZFamily. reportedsaid detectives. A Telos Health case worker told police Spalding was a patient and the ride was to take her to a scheduled meeting with a staff member, according to court documents. (Related: Report: Frustrated illegal immigrants waiting for border patrol turn to ride-sharing apps)
ABC 15 reports that police said an altercation occurred between Webster and Spalding during the ride. Witnesses told police that Webster's car stopped next to a canal and the two men got out of the car. “Spalding then got into the driver's seat and drove the vehicle, striking Webster multiple times,” PPD said. AZFamily reports that during the incident, Webster was heard screaming, “Why are you doing this?”
A case worker told police that he called Spalding when the woman did not arrive for her visiting time. The woman said the suspect “sounded hysterical” and when she answered, she called for help, according to the indictment.
Police found an elderly man suffering from “obvious signs of trauma,” ABC 15 reported. Spalding claimed that an older man tried to assault her, but that a medical examination of Spalding showed no signs of injury, AZ Family reported, citing court documents. Spalding allegedly admitted to police that he had a medical problem and did not take his prescribed medication. She told investigators she used fentanyl instead, documents said.
Authorities arrested Spalding and charged him with second-degree murder. They are conducting ongoing investigations.
