What began as just another pickup turned terrifying for one Lyft driver Monday night. Darien police said he picked up a passenger in Stamford, near the Darien town line, who was headed to Norwalk around 10:30 p.m. As the car crossed into Darien, the passenger began stabbing the driver.

“The driver told us that he felt the only way to stop it was crash his vehicle, which he did -- into a tree on West Avenue,” said Sgt. Daniel Skoumbros, of the Darien Police Department.

The car crossed lanes, jumped the curb, and slammed into a tree near Holmes Avenue. The force of the impact sent parts of the car a ways into the woods and left broken glass embedded in the tree, all visible days later.

“I was sitting in the chair in the living room, and I heard this incredible boom sound, almost like an explosion, just a powerful boom,” recalled Wayne Campbell, who lives across the street from the crash site. “Next thing I know the fire truck shows up, four or five police cars. There were lights flashing, and it was really kind of striking to see.”

Police said they received a 911 call from a passerby who reported a one-car accident. When officers arrived, they learned about the attack.

“According to the driver, this was totally unprovoked. He has no ties, no threats to him. This was just a ride fare he picked up and was randomly attacked,” Skoumbros said. “There's no reason to believe that this was a targeted attack. It could’ve been any driver who picked up this individual.”

Police said the suspect ran off after the crash and took the driver's cell phone. The driver suffered several stab wounds but is expected to be OK.

“He was sitting on the curb sort of collecting himself, and there were a few men around him talking to him, helping him. Then the ambulance came, and they took him away,” Campbell told News 12.

Officers got to work looking for the suspect and called in Stamford police to help them search the area.

“They were all around here. We saw they had police dogs going around our property. They had guys combing the yards all over the place,” Campbell said.

Police didn't find the suspect but have been back to the scene looking for evidence two more times since, according to Campbell.

“Scary is the word that comes to mind ‘cause we aren't used to that kind of thing,” he said. “When it happens right in front of your house on your street, it jolts you a little bit.”

Police wouldn’t say if the suspect said anything during the attack or if they have identified him. They called it a very active investigation and said they’ll release more once there’s an arrest. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Darien Detective Bureau at 203-662-5330.