UPDATE: Lafayette, Louisiana Woman Accused of Pulling a Gun on Lyft Driver

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) -

UPDATE: 

Officials with the Lafayette Police Department say Denise Thomas turned herself in at the police department.

ORIGINAL:

A terrifying incident unfolded for a Lyft driver in Lafayette Monday night as he alleged his passenger turned a gun on him.

According to Sergeant Robin Green, the driver picked up a woman and her 5-year-old child in the 1700 block of North University that night.

Get our free mobile app

The driver gave his phone to the woman so she could put the address of where she wanted to go into the phone.

The man says that's when the woman became agitated because the GPS was pulling up a route taking the driver in the wrong direction she thought. It was a different route.

The driver continued to drive and when they made it to the 100 block of West Pont Des Mouton Road the man said the woman pulled out a gun and she pointed it at his neck. He kept asking her where she wanted to go and she kept saying home. He specifically asked her what her exact address was.

Green told KLFY,

The suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at the Lyft driver while he was driving off of Pont Des Mouton Road and basically told him, ‘You need to bring me home.’ The Lyft driver was bringing the suspect home. He was just following the GPS that was provided by his cell phone,” she added. “At that time, the Lyft driver became afraid and tried to get the gun out of the suspect’s hand.

He was able to grab her arm at some point.

The man had to swerve his vehicle and make a sharp turn so he wouldn't get shot. The car crashed into a ditch. The man was about to get out and run. He flagged down some people who helped him get to a nearby business so he could call the police.

Green says once the investigation began they were able to identify Denise Thomas, and there is now a warrant out for her arrest on a charge of aggravated kidnapping.

This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.

You can also use the KPEL app to submit a news tip, share a traffic update, or chat directly with our on-air team.

Be sure to bookmark our latest site, wearelafayette.net, where we provide more local news coverage as well as lifestyle and community features.

To report errors, omissions, or other concerns regarding the content above, send emails to news@kpel965.com.