# Lyft driver chased a hit-and-run suspect for miles

> A Phoenix Lyft driver left his fare behind at 1 a.m. and gave chase after watching a car hit a pedestrian three times.
- Title: Lyft driver chased a hit-and-run suspect for miles | Shortify
- Summary: A Phoenix Lyft driver left his fare behind at 1 a.m. and gave chase after watching a car hit a pedestrian three times. Gwin's instinct saved a chase for the…
- Keywords: phoenix, hit-and-run, lyft, crime, impaired driving, news, local, driver, chased, suspect, miles, Valleynewslive
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/13/lyft-drivers-late-night-ride-turns-dangerous-he-chases-down-hit-and-run-suspect
- Published: 2026-09-13T10:42:23.767+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: phoenix, hit-and-run, lyft, crime, impaired driving, news, local
## A red light, then a body in the air
Octave Gwin was parked in Phoenix around 1 a.m. Friday, waiting on a passenger, when he saw a driver run a red light and hit a man crossing the street with his friend.

> Literally, when the guy ran the red light, he hit him, his buddy. Didn't even stop.
## He came back and did it twice more
Gwin says the driver turned around and struck the man again, then pulled out of a parking lot and ran over his arm. That was the moment Gwin got moving.

> Then, he came out the parking lot and ran over his arm. That's when I... took off after him.
## He left his passenger behind
Adrenaline took over. Bystanders yelled at him to go, so Gwin abandoned the fare and followed the car for miles through Phoenix streets.

> Everyone around said, 'Go get him.' And I took off to go get him. It was kind of like 'Grand Theft Auto.'
## A trail of wreckage led him back
The suspect briefly shook him, but the damage gave it away. Gwin tracked a hit sign, a hit tree, and finally smoke coming from an apartment complex.

> He hit a sign. He hit a tree. And then, at the point I seen the smoke...
## SWAT made the arrest
Phoenix Police took the suspect into custody with a SWAT team and say the driver was likely impaired. The pedestrian is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
## He regrets it, and he'd still explain why
After talking to 911 dispatch and police, Gwin admits the chase was dangerous and he should not have done it. He posted online to find the victim and hopes to meet him.

> Everyone is somebody, and no one should be left like that.
## Key takeaway

Gwin's instinct saved a chase for the police, but he says himself it was the wrong call, and dispatch agreed.