‘He threw the car at me': Lyft driver says passenger stole vehicle and crashed it in West Palm Beach

A South Florida Lyft driver says he was just doing his job when his passenger stole his SUV and crashed it.

Miguel Molina said he could have lost his life.

“My life literally flashed before my eyes because he almost ran me over,” Molina said. “Things just went haywire.”

Molina said he tried his best to stop a man from stealing his SUV on March 4. He was driving for Lyft that day and picked up the rider in Pompano Beach, with the final destination was Jacksonville.

“I didn’t think nothing of it,” Molina said.

He stopped in West Palm Beach to get gas. His stepson met him there so he could join him on his trip.

Molina said as they were walking inside, the passenger, Declan Murphy, jumped out of the backseat and into the driver’s seat and started driving away.

“I started screaming, like, oh shoot,” Molina said.

Molina and his son ran outside to try to stop Murphy.

“He threw the car at me to hit me,” Molina said.

Molina tried to jump on the hood, but Murphy didn’t stop.

“Once he hit me, I knew it was real,” Molina said. “I’m here sitting in front of you because God has something in store for me, because my body was inches from that wheel.”

Molina said he got in his stepson’s car and they followed Murphy. The entire time, they were on the phone with 911.

“Just please stop, don’t total my vehicle,” Molina said.

According to an arrest report, Murphy crashed into another car about two miles away, got out of the SUV and tried to get away. Molina said his stepson tackled Murphy and held him down until police showed up.

“My question is, why? Money is material, but the guy paid $800,” Molina said.

Molina said he didn’t want Murphy to get away for any reason.

“That’s my life, the night before I slept in the damn car, so I have nothing to lose,” Molina said.

Molina said he is grateful he’s alive and knows his story could’ve ended differently.

“So you ruined your life, why ruin my life and my family?” Molina said. “Hopefully somebody sees this and helps me out.”

Murphy was arrested by West Palm Beach Police and charged with grand theft.

There is a GoFundMe for Molina.