Friends of carjacking victim say 911 lines were busy during crucial time

CHAMBLEE, Ga. — Several taxi drivers prayed and created a memorial on Sunday for fellow driver Mariana Matheu, 36, after she was killed Saturday night by a passenger.

Matheu's co-worker, Claudia Saldarriaga, told WSB-TV that she saw Matheu in her cab Saturday night at a gas station in Chamblee, Georgia. Saldarriaga said she saw a passenger holding Matheu at gunpoint.

Saldarriaga said she called 911, but all lines were busy. She said she followed Matheu's car and alerted drivers in the area to respond.

Matheu lost control of her cab and crashed into a fence. Her attacker ran, authorities said.

Saldarriaga said she rushed to her friend and tried to stop the bleeding.

"We tried calling 911 one more time while I was there with her and the same thing: 'Agents are busy now,'" Saldarriaga said. "By the time they said, 'Yes, we'll send someone over,' she didn't have a pulse."

Police arrested a suspect Saturday night in a nearby wooded area. The gunman's motive was not immediately clear, but Chamblee police believe robbery may have been the motive.

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