A man was fatally stabbed while driving for Uber in north suburban Lincolnwood early Tuesday, according to police.
Grant Nelson, 34, was driving near the intersection of Touhy and Lincoln Avenues around 3:22 a.m. when the attack occurred, Lincolnwood police said in a release.
Authorities said Nelson, of Wilmette, was dropping off a fare in the area when he was stabbed. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 7:55 a.m., police said.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our partners, Grant Nelson,” a spokeswoman for Uber said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” she continued, adding that the company is working with police and providing information that could be relevant to the investigation.
Nelson’s car, a 2015 gray Hyundai Sonata, was found with streaks of blood in the center of Lincoln Avenue, where it sat for several hours in the busy intersection before being towed away.
A suspect was discovered hiding behind a nearby building and taken into custody, officials said. It was not immediately clear if the offender was a passenger in the car or related to the ride in any way, and further details on the suspect were not immediately available.
Police said the attack appeared to be “an isolated incident” and there was no indication of any danger to the public.
Grainy surveillance video from a nearby business appeared to show Nelson's car turning into the driveway leading to Hampton Place Condominiums. Moments later, someone seemed to exit the vehicle and walk away.
“The only thing I can see on the video is the building police are investigating in, this car pulls in, almost seems like he dropped off someone there and then just speeds right out pretty quick,” said Mike Mata, of Nuno’s Complete Car Care. “You can see someone walks out of that car and walking really, really slow.”
Nelson’s family said he liked driving for Uber and Lyft because he could make good money while helping people.
“I want people to know Grant was a good person,” said his sister, Alex Nelson. “He was not a vindictive person. He was not a cruel person. He didn't deserve this fate.”
Alex said Grant loved animals, especially his family’s dog Lilly, and that he lived for music.
“He had probably the most extensive collection of classical music of anyone I've ever met in my life,” Alex said.
“If he had been given the chance to live, he would have continued to fill the world with good thoughts, good music, and intelligent conversation,” she continued. “We will all miss that without him here.”
Lincolnwood police and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force continue to investigate.