Man accused of killing pregnant Lyft driver and her unborn child pleads not guilty

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - A man accused of killing a pregnant Lyft driver and her unborn child pleaded not guilty to charges on Thursday.

According to court officials, 20-year-old Fabian Durazo pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and auto theft charges.

Durazo was arrested near Quartzsite, nearly 150 miles away from the Tempe apartment complex parking lot where 39-year-old Lyft driver Kristina Howato was stabbed.

Howato was in her third trimester of pregnancy and police say she and her unborn child died at a hospital.

Police believe Durazo planned to steal Howato's SUV and she was killed in a struggle.

His next scheduled court appearance is for an initial pretrial conference on March 22.