Uber Passenger That Shot And Killed Driver Believing He Was Taking Her To Mexico Facing Murder Charges

A Kentucky woman visiting Texas that shot and killed her Uber driver after claiming he was trying to kidnap her is now facing murder charges.

Phoebe Copas, 48, was booked into the El Paso after her arrest on June 16. Her bail was increased to $1.5 million after charges were upgraded from aggravated assault causing bodily injury to murder after the driver died. 

The family of Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, told KTSM that he was removed from life support on Wednesday. His niece told the outlet that he was not a criminal or a kidnapper. A GoFundMe created by his wife describes him as the sole provider of the household.

Last Friday, officers responded to a call for a shooting at 2:19 p.m. on U.S. 54 South, according to a press release from the El Paso Police Department. 

“At some point during the drive, Copas thought she was being taken into Mexico and shot Piedra,” the release said. Copas allegedly pulled out a revolver and shot Garcia in the head and wrist. Subsequently, the car crashed into a highway barrier. 

Instead of calling 911, Copas took a picture of the critically wounded Garcia and texted it to her boyfriend. The boyfriend, who has been identified, was at the scene when officers arrived. 

“The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas’ destination,” the release continued.

Investigators believe Copas was visiting her boyfriend in El Paso. She used the ride-share service to meet him at a casino. According to the affidavit, she became nervous when she saw signs for Juarez, which is located across the border from El Paso.  

Uber said in a statement that the company would cooperate with investigators and had been in touch with Garcia’s family.

“We are horrified by the rider’s actions,” Uber said.