Defendant pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing of Lyft driver
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A man pleaded not guilty Thursday to fatally stabbing a pregnant Lyft driver in Tempe.
Fabian Durazo, 20, is being held on a $1 million bond at a Maricopa County jail on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and vehicle theft.
He is accused of fatally stabbing of Kristina Howato, 39, a Lyft driver who on Jan. 27 drove to the 1700 block of East Eighth Street in Tempe to give Durazo a ride, according to court records.
According to the indictment, Durazo faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for Howato and her unborn child because "the offense involved the discharge, use, or threatening exhibition of a knife, a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and\or the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury."
When she arrived, Durarzo began to stab her repeatedly and fled with the woman's 2005 Mercury SUV. Howato was in the third trimester of her pregnancy.
First responders found the woman, according to records. She was taken to the hospital, where she and her child died.
In a statement, the company said the safety of the Lyft community remains its top priority and it will continue to support passengers and drivers.
Lyft has a no weapons policy for both drivers and passengers.
Weapons are not allowed in vehicles. It includes handguns, stun guns, explosives, knives, sling shots and Tasers in its definition of weapon.
Drivers are able to call 911 using the app.
Durazo took classes at Arizona State University for an academic year beginning in fall 2016, according to a university spokeswoman.