‘TRAUMATIZED’: Passenger steals Lyft driver’s SUV at West Palm Beach gas station
By Audra Schroeder , Zitlali Solache
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPTV) — West Palm Beach police are investigating after a Lyft driver who was transporting a passenger from Pompano Beach to Jacksonville had his drive cut short by a carjacking.
According to an affidavit, on March 4, officers received a call about a carjacking at a Marathon gas station in West Palm Beach. A Lyft driver, Miguel Angel Molina Jr., 52, had picked up passenger Declan Patrick Murphy, 35, who requested a ride to Jacksonville from Broward County.
“I saw a ride for $500, so I just accepted it,” said Molina.
Molina stopped at the gas station due to the length of the trip, and had also contacted his stepson, Raymond Pagan, 26, to accompany him.
“I asked him (Murphy) can I stop for gas, if not we can’t proceed with the ride and he said no problem,” said Molina.
When Molina returned from paying inside, he saw Murphy had moved from the backseat of his 2017 Honda CR-V to the driver’s seat and fled in Molina’s car. Molina tried to stop him, but was not successful, and he told the police that Murphy tried to run him over.
“You could see him through the video, just get out the driveway and go,” said Molina. “He went around like that and I was able to come this way and jump in front of the vehicle and he bumped me. I saw my life flash before my eyes. I don’t even know I got up. I didn’t even know I was wounded; I was bleeding from both knees.”
With Pagan at the gas station, Molina jumped in his car as the two attempted to follow Murphy while on the phone with 911. Murphy drove approximately 1.9 miles east before crashing into the rear of another vehicle at the intersection of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue.
“I’m traumatized. My truck is done. All airbags deployed,” said Molina,.
He then fled on foot but Molina’s stepson tackled him in the parking lot of Hook Fish & Chicken on Palm Beach Lakes.
On top of everything, Molina said he’s seeking solutions, as he struggles to replace his vehicle. He adds that his insurance is covering the driver allegedly struck by Murphy, but he’s awaiting answers.
“The insurance is doing is telling me that they can’t do nothing for me because of the service that I was doing, they don’t cover that,” said Molina. “It’s a no-fault state.”
His family started a GoFundMe for Molina, who needs support from the community, as he searches for a new job.
“I know there’s good people out there and somebody will see this and hopefully help me,” said Molina.
A spokesperson with Lyft sent a statement addressing the case.
“The allegations described are reprehensible and have no place in the Lyft community or in our society. We have permanently banned the rider from the Lyft platform, contacted the driver to offer our support, and stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation.”
Police arrested Murphy, who was charged with one count of grand theft (motor vehicle) with damage exceeding $1,000.
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