A terrifying incident took place early on Thursday morning during an Uber ride in South Mississippi. The passenger suddenly brandished a handgun, hijacked the vehicle, and initiated a dangerous chase down the wrong lane of the interstate. The situation was nothing short of a nightmare for all involved.
During the afternoon in Gulfport, WLOX News had a conversation with an Uber driver based in New Orleans. The driver, who goes by the name Rosalind, stated that the entire experience was peculiar, beginning with her passenger, Regio Lavant, asking if he could pay in cash for his ride from New Orleans to Gulfport.
While on the drive, Rosalind pointed out that Lavant was behaving unusually and continuously remarked on the number of police cars present on I-10.
As they crossed into Mississippi, the situation intensified. Rosalind recounted the terrifying moment when she heard a distinct click and felt the assailant’s hands on her waist. Fear gripped her as she wondered if this was the end of her story. She couldn’t help but think that she was going to be shot right then and there. The possibility of death left her feeling helpless and resigned to her fate.
In order to step out of the car, Rosalind came up with a quick excuse. She informed Lavant that her tires needed some air, so they stopped at the weigh station located in Hancock County. However, Lavant seemed doubtful and skeptical of her excuse.
As she recounted the harrowing experience, she mentioned pretending to fill up her tire with air as a means of escape. However, she soon realized that she did not have an air pump and turned to calling 911 for help. Unfortunately, she had connected her phone to Bluetooth, and the perpetrator overheard her plea for assistance. Desperate for help, she begged the police to hurry up as the armed man was acting strangely. Despite their arrival, the perpetrator initially feigned compliance before abruptly returning to her car and speeding off. She watched helplessly as he drove away on the interstate with her vehicle.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Lavant was involved in a high-speed chase that spanned across Hancock County and into Harrison County on I-10. During the pursuit, Lavant drove at dangerously high speeds, even going the wrong way on the interstate and nearly colliding with several other vehicles. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the chase.
As Lavant made his way north on Canal Road and turned onto Orange Grove Road, he eventually crashed on Highway 49 near Taco Bell. It seems that Lavant attempted to escape on foot, but was quickly apprehended by a K9 unit. He sustained dog bites and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The accused is facing three felony charges, namely carjacking, eluding, and assault on a police officer. The court has set his bond at $250,000.
After undergoing such a traumatic experience, Rosalind expressed her gratitude for still being alive. She also mentioned that she is reconsidering her role as an Uber driver.
“I have no desire to continue with Uber anymore. It’s over for me. I am relieved that I’m safe and can be with my loved ones now.”
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