A federal lawsuit has been filed by the family of a 38-year-old mother of four and Uber driver in Pennsylvania, who was fatally shot in the head on February 10, 2022.
The family of Christina Spicuzza has pointed to alleged negligence by Uber as the reason for her death. Their lawsuit suggests that had there been adequate safety precautions in place, such as barriers separating drivers from passengers, the incident may have been averted.
Historically, these protective measures have been in use, serving as a shield for drivers from possible attacks. The lawsuit emphasizes that Uber did not provide these safety barriers, nor did they make Spicuzza aware of their importance.
On the day of the murder, Calvin Crew, who had a criminal record, booked an Uber ride along with his girlfriend. Dashcam footage retrieved by police indicates that Crew didn’t exit at the intended stop. Allegedly, he pulled out a weapon, physically restrained Spicuzza, and forced her to continue driving.
In a desperate bid for her life, Spicuzza mentioned her four children, hoping to appeal to Crew’s humanity. Yet, Crew allegedly seized her phone, directed her to follow his orders, and then removed the dash cam. Spicuzza’s life was tragically cut short, with her remains discovered two days later in a wooded area.
Crew now faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide and robbery. As Crew’s trial looms, the lawsuit implies that Uber could have taken protective actions, such as rider background checks or giving drivers more authority to decline suspicious bookings without any backlash.
Uber has refrained from commenting on the specific case but has expressed its commitment to driver safety, referencing several safety measures implemented over the years.
The court case is currently underway, with Crew’s pretrial motion hearing on September 18.
