Could you jump out of a car going 60 mph? That was the best choice for Nashville, Tennessee, Uber driver Carolina Vargas. Her passenger was in the back seat when he allegedly pulled a knife on her. The best way the Uber driver thought to escape abduction was jumping at 60 mph.

This all started when she picked up truck driver Christopher Miller after he ordered a ride. She dropped him off at a hotel in Cleveland, Tennessee, over 150 miles away. Cleveland is just outside of Chattanooga. This happened without incident. Then she made arrangements to pick him up a few days later and drive him to his truck in Nashville. He originally told Vargas his semi had broken down.

She drove for a bit and that’s when the attempted kidnapping took place

Since the arrangement was pre-made there was no Uber app involved when she picked him up at the hotel. Once on the road, she drove for a bit and that’s when the attempted kidnapping took place. Miller allegedly pulled out a knife, then he hit the 26-year old in the ribs. He demanded she drive into Georgia. 

In fear of her life, she immediately flung her door open and jumped while the car was doing 60 mph. As she landed on the highway the rear tire of her Ford Explorer ran over her leg. She sustained serious injuries but did not break any bones including the leg that got run over. Injuries were found in various places on her body, and she is now missing some teeth.

During the encounter, she begged him to let her go

She told News Channel 5 in Nashville, “I didn’t do anything to trigger him. He put the knife here on my side and said, ‘Now you are going to do what I say.’” During the encounter, she begged him to let her go. After bailing from her car Miller allegedly used the Explorer to get away. 

When News Channel 5 contacted Uber, a representative said that because Vargas wasn’t using the Uber app it is not considered an Uber trip. They also said this goes against community guidelines to contact customers without an Uber app involved. 

With the Miller photo, a manhunt for the alleged kidnapper was initiated

Part of the reason for that is that without the app there is no way to identify the passenger. In this case, Vargas provided a photo of Miller. She says she regularly takes pictures of passengers she picks up. With the Miller photo, a manhunt for the alleged kidnapper was initiated. Police were able to get more information on Miller from the Cleveland hotel he was picked up at. 

Police were able to track Miller’s phone through GPS and arrested him at a hotel in Jackson, Florida. There he was found to have numerous weapons including the alleged knife used in the failed abduction. He will be extradited back to Tennessee to face charges.