Fort Myers driver charged with DUI after passenger's escape

FORT MYERS - A ride-share trip took a terrifying turn when a passenger had to jump out of the car.

The passenger, Amanda, shared her experience with WINK News, expressing gratitude for her quick decision to exit.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver, 32-year-old Christian Thresher, ended up in a median, passed out and high at the wheel.

Amanda recounted her ride on Saturday night, saying she ordered a Lyft and noticed her destination on the driver's phone. However, they sat in the parking lot for several minutes before the driver started driving erratically.

"He flew across lanes, straight into the median," said Amanda. She asked him to return to her workplace, but he missed the turn and hit another median.

In a split-second decision, Amanda asked to be let out in the middle of the road. She said, "I literally was like, let me out right here."

After she exited, the app showed Thresher heading for I-75. The Florida Highway Patrol later found his gray Honda CR-V on the shoulder of I-75 early Sunday morning.

Thresher was arrested and charged with two counts of DUI and one drug possession charge.

Amanda reflected on the situation, saying, "What if it was something worse? It could have been really dangerous for me and him."

She received a refund from Lyft, and the company reached out to her. Thresher bonded out of jail Sunday evening, and his court date is set for next month.