Argument between co-workers leads to deadly motorcycle crash, police say. One charged with murder.
Jan. 10 2022, Published 4:47 p.m. ET
A fight between coworkers in Kansas led to a deadly motorcycle crash and now officials say one has been charged with murder.
In November, police say Ruben Rodriguez and Dade Smith were forced to leave the FedEx facility they were working in after getting into an argument. The men were package handlers at the facility and it was their first day, FOX 4 reported.
FedEx stated Rodriguez threatened to fight Smith in the parking lot while they were arguing and other employees stated Rodriguez said he wasn’t afraid to catch another felony, according to FOX 4.
According to authorities, both men left the facility around the same time, with Smith on a motorcycle and Rodriguez driving a Cadillac Escalade, which had a dashcam. Police got the footage showing the deadly crash.
Officials said Rodriguez left the facility, then turned around and headed back. Smith motorcycle was then in front of Rodriguez's car. Rodriguez slowed down to about 11 mph and then pulled into a business’s driveway in front of Smith, police said. Smith crashed and fell into Rodriguez’s vehicle and he died at the scene.
Rodriguez spoke with police and said he turned around to ask FedEx human resources a question. He thought the motorcycle was far enough away that he could turn safely. Police questioned him on why he turned into the business and not FedEx and he said he thought the parking lots connected.
He denied knowing Smith, FOX 4 reported.
Rodriguez was arrested and booked into the Johnson County jail. Bond was set at $250,000, officials said.
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