‘I’m begging you, I have four kids’: Convicted Pennsylvania man, who murdered an Uber driver in random attack, learns his fate

A chilling case that shocked Pennsylvania and the nation reached its conclusion when a jury sentenced Calvin Crew to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2022 murder of Uber driver and mother of four, Christina Spicuzza. The sentencing, which took place on May 5, 2025, also includes an additional 13 to 26 years for kidnapping and robbery charges. 

“Come on, I have a family”

As the jury heard, pn the evening of February 10, 2022, Crew, 25, used his girlfriend’s phone to request an Uber ride in Allegheny County. Christina Spicuzza, 38, accepted the request and picked up Crew. Shortly after entering the vehicle, Crew pulled a gun on Spicuzza, pressing it to the back of her head. 

According to Pittsburgh’s WTAE, dashcam footage captured Spicuzza’s desperate pleas: “Come on, I have a family,” and “I’m begging you, I have four kids.”  Crew responded coldly, “I got a family, too. Now drive.”

The video ends with Crew grabbing Spicuzza’s phone and the dashcam itself, but not before the initial confrontation was recorded. Two days later, Spicuzza’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, with a single gunshot wound to the head. 

Authorities quickly identified Crew as the suspect. He was arrested on February 17, 2022, and charged with criminal homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and evidence tampering.  Investigators cited dashcam footage, cell phone data, and surveillance videos as key pieces of evidence linking Crew to the crime. 

“A coward who couldn’t be here today to face this”

In February 2025, after a trial that lasted several days, a jury found Crew guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder. The verdict came after less than five hours of deliberation.

During the recent sentencing hearing, Crew did not appear in court, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Spicuzza’s family. Her fiancé, Brandon Marto, called Crew “a coward who couldn’t be here today to face this.” Spicuzza’s mother, Cindy Spicuzza, addressed the court, stating, “You should have the death penalty, but we showed mercy.

Prosecutors had initially considered seeking the death penalty, but Spicuzza’s family requested a life sentence instead, citing her religious beliefs. 

Crew’s defense team plans to appeal

Crew maintains his innocence and plans to appeal the conviction. His defense attorneys argued that he was a product of a violent and neglected upbringing and cited intellectual challenges. 

The case has raised concerns about safety measures for ride-share drivers and the protocols in place to protect them. Uber has since stated that it is committed to enhancing safety features for drivers, including in-app safety tools and stricter passenger verification processes. 

Christina Spicuzza’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by gig economy workers and the importance of robust safety measures to protect them.