By Zaeem Shaikh The Dallas Morning News (TNS) and Tribune Media Services
An Uber driver died in a Texas hospital after being shot last week by a woman who believed he was taking her to Mexico, police said.
Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was shot the afternoon of June 16 while on U.S. Highway 54 in El Paso. An investigation found that Piedra, who worked for Uber, was driving 48-year-old Phoebe Copas across town, El Paso police said.
At some point during the drive, Copas believed she was being taken to Mexico and shot Piedra, according to police. Officers could not find evidence that indicated a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was “veering from Copas’ destination,” police said in a news release.
Piedra, who was critically wounded, was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. His family took him off life support Wednesday, and police said Thursday that he died.
Copas was initially arrested on a charge of aggravated assault, which was upgraded to murder after Garcia’s death.
Copas’ bail is set at $1.5 million, and her attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting.
A GoFundMe page started by Piedra’s family for hospital and funeral expenses says Piedra was the sole provider for his family and was happy to be working again after being sidelined by a recent surgery. It has raised more than $50,000.
