HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - A Miami Uber driver accused of pulling a gun on a passenger during a ride to Hollywood appeared before a Broward County judge for a bond hearing after she was arrested.
Broward Circuit Judge Corey B. Friedman on Wednesday morning gave 23-year-old Jennifer Benitez a $7,500 bond on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with the May 12 incident.
Friedman also ordered the suspect to refrain from contacting with the victim or using firearms.
“I am ordering no victim contact, no firearms, weapons or ammunition,” he said.
Investigators said Benitez became irate and pulled out a gun on the passenger, local rapper Krissy Celess, who was riding with a friend from North Miami to her home in Hollywood.
The dispute began when the rider tried to give directions to the driver, according to an arrest affidavit.
Celess shared her account of the ordeal in an exclusive interview with 7News last week.
“Everything happened so fast, but at that moment I was just thinking about my son,” she said.
Celess described Benitez as agitated for the whole ride, and things escalated when Celess tried to clarify directions.
“I’m like, ‘You’re going to make this turn left,’ and she was like, ‘Oh, you don’t have to tell me. That’s what I have a GPS for.’ I’m like ‘You don’t have to catch an attitude, I’m just letting you know,’ and it just escalated so quickly,” said Celess.
Celess said Benitez began to drive erratically, canceled the ride and called 911. However, the call dropped.
The suspect then told the two women to get out of the vehicle.
“And, as my friend is putting on her shoes, she goes into the middle, and she pulls out the firearm,” said Celess.
The arrest affidavit states the 16-mile ride came to an end near Sheridan Street and North 29th Avenue in Hollywood.
Celess recorded the encounter on her phone and posted the 33-second clip on social media, which went viral.
In the video, Benitez is seen shouting at the riders to exit the vehicle while speaking with a 911 dispatcher.
“Get out of my vehicle right now!” Benitez told the passengers.
“She got them crazy eyes,” Celess was heard saying.
Benitez is seen raising a handgun and pointing it toward the victims.
“Get out!” she screamed.
Celess and her friend managed to escape, and now she plans to sue Uber.
Celess’ attorney, Carlos Dominguez, said Benitez didn’t follow the rules.
“I would argue that the Uber driver was extremely aggressive, and the reaction of pulling a gun was extremely excessive,” he said. “Uber drivers are not allowed to carry or possess firearms pursuant to Uber policy.”
Following the incident, Uber released a statement that reads:
“This is extremely concerning. We removed the driver’s access to the app and are continuing to investigate.”
Hollywood Police said Benitez was taken into custody in Port St. Lucie before being extradited back to Broward County.
In bond court, Benitez’s attorney gave a hint about his legal strategy.
“She was standing her ground. My understanding is that Ms. Benitez, that night, she did contact local law enforcement,” he said.
Dominguez said his client was acting within the parameters of Florida’s “stand your ground” law, but the judge said they can pursue this argument before a division judge at a future court appearance.
Benitez was later transferred to the Paul Rein Detention Facility in Pompano Beach. As of late Wednesday night, she has not posted bond.
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