Man accused of kidnapping Nashville Uber driver arrested in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man arrested in Jacksonville on Monday is accused of kidnapping a Nashville Uber driver who said she escaped by jumping out of her moving SUV in Georgia, according to Action News Jax CBS affiliate News Channel 5.

Carolina Vargas, 26, suffered no broken bones after jumping from the SUV, but she experienced trauma to her face and has badly bruised and scraped legs.

Police have identified the man accused of kidnapping her as Christopher Miller, 51, a man the Uber driver said she drove once before to his destination.

Last Friday, Vargas said he called her directly for a ride -- this trip, unlike the initial trip, was not booked through the Uber app -- and this time he allegedly pulled a knife on her.

After jumping from the SUV while they were in Georgia, NewsChannel5 reported a good Samaritan helped her on the shoulder of the road and called police. Investigators believe Miller escaped in her SUV. The Uber driver said she takes pictures of her fares and was able to give a picture to police showing the man she said attacked her.

A manhunt was underway for Miller until he was arrested Monday by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. News Channel 5 reported that Miller was found with weapons at a motel in Jacksonville, after police were able to track him by GPS through his cellphone.

Action News Jax is expecting Miller to appear at a pretrial hearing in Jacksonville on Tuesday at 1 p.m., where he faces extradition to Georgia.

According to JSO jail records, Miller faces charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping and theft of a vehicle.

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