Lyft passenger died by suicide on I-95 in Broward, investigators find

The last question David Camacho asked on a Sunday night in September was whether the door or window in the back seat of his Lyft ride would stay locked while the SUV went on I-95.

The doors were set up to stay locked while the SUV was in motion but the windows could be opened, the Lyft driver, Patrick Myrtil, replied to Camacho. When Camacho stopped answering, the Lyft driver pulled over, looked back and realized Camacho had climbed out the window.

The Florida Highway Patrol recently concluded an investigation into Camacho’s death, confirming he died by suicide while on a Lyft ride from Broward to Miami Beach, records show.

Camacho, 48, a native of France, moved to the U.S. in 1998 and lived in Fort Lauderdale. Camacho, a person with alcoholism who may have relapsed, had crashed a car earlier that day, on Sept. 6, the Highway Patrol determined through its monthslong investigation.

Camacho ordered a Lyft ride later that day during the Labor Day weekend. While on the ride, Camacho’s questions about the door and window locks didn’t alarm Myrtil. Everything seemed normal, because Camacho seemed to be heading to South Beach to enjoy the holiday weekend, Myrtil said.

Camacho was hit by several cars near the Hallandale Beach Boulevard exit of I-95, the Highway Patrol said. Myrtil, the last person to see Camacho alive, said he was unable to work for about a week afterward. “I was very shocked when [police] told me that he died,” Myrtil said. “No way you can drop yourself on 95 and be OK.”

Records show authorities had difficulty contacting Camacho’s family, who may still reside abroad. Myrtil gave them his condolences to them. “For this to happen to anybody, you would feel really badly.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a suicide prevention resource, is 1-800-273-8255.

Austen Erblat can be reached at aerblat@sunsentinel.com, 954-599-8709 or on Twitter @AustenErblat.