A devastating incident unfolded in Phoenix where a 74-year-old rideshare driver lost his life after allegedly being run over multiple times by his passenger. The suspect, 31-year-old Jordan Spalding, is currently facing second-degree murder charges and is being held on a $1 million bond.
The victim, Samuel Webster, was found with severe injuries near his vehicle by law enforcement responding to a pedestrian crash on Tuesday evening. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators, utilizing witness accounts and surveillance footage, determined that Webster and Spalding had been involved in an altercation. After both exited the vehicle, Spalding allegedly re-entered the car and struck Webster multiple times. While Spalding claimed self-defense, alleging an attempted sexual assault, authorities reported finding no evidence to support her claim. Spalding also admitted to using fentanyl earlier that day.
The specific rideshare company Webster worked for has not been officially confirmed by authorities. This tragic event underscores the potential dangers faced by gig economy workers.
