Uber Driver’s Punch Leaves Man Critically Injured: Cops

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — An alleged fight between an Uber driver and his passenger over route choice took a dangerous turn Thursday night. St. Petersburg Police say the 56-year-old passenger was punched and “did not regain consciousness.”

Police say the incident began to unfold around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 when Kabir O’Farril Diaz, 38, picked up Terry Lynn Kimball. The two men, an email from the police department said, began to argue over the route Diaz was driving.

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Diaz pulled over at the Quick Pick Foods store at 800 58th St. N. There, police say, the dispute turned into a physical fight.

“The driver punched Kimball,” rendering him unconscious, the email said. “Kimball is hospitalized with serious brain trauma. His injuries are considered life-threatening.”

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The case remains under investigation. Police say Diaz is cooperating with them.

No charges have been announced as of yet. Further information is not being released at this time.

Earlier this week, a different Uber driver was credited with helping Florida Highway Patrol troopers stop a man’s suicide attempt. The driver in that case, Chad Farley, called the patrol after dropping off a passenger at the rest area north of the Skyway Bridge.

In fear for the man’s safety, Farley alerted troopers of the possible suicide attempt. Troopers ultimately ended up pulling the unconscious man out of the water. The man, who is not being identified, was hospitalized in stable condition, authorities reported.

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