WAYCROSS, Ga. – A woman called 911 in Ware County about 10:20 p.m. Monday saying she had been shot and was locked in the trunk of a car and a co-worker had been killed.
"He shot me," Sandra Williams told the operator in a muffled voice. A few seconds later, the call ends.
While the 54-year-old woman said she had no idea where she was, Waycross police along with the Ware County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Highway Patrol began searching for the vehicle.
Williams managed to call back, giving police the name of the man who shot her. Leon Pugh, 41, was arrested at his Waycross home before Williams or the car were located.
Police said Williams eventually escaped from the trunk, and though shot multiple times, was able to make it out of the woods to get help. Williams was stabilized and taken by air ambulance to UF Health Jacksonville with life-threatening injuries. Williams was last listed in critical but stable condition.
She couldn't give the exact location of the car, but just after midnight a Waycross police supervisor found it off Darling Avenue in a heavily wooded area by a canal.
The second victim, identified as Timothy Williams (pictured), was found inside the passenger seat of the car with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. Coroner Atha Lucas confirmed his death. The body will be sent to the state crime lab for forensic examination.
AUDIO: Gunshot victim makes 911 call from trunk of car
Police said Pugh worked with the victims at a Waycross restaurant and was being given a ride home when he shot them.
Pugh was charged with murder and aggravated assault. Investigators have yet to establish a motive.
Tim Williams' sister has no answers for the children about why their dad was killed.
"It's kind of hard to digest," Latadra Parker said. "He leaves three kids. He's a loving brother, wonderful son, and for what? That's my question. Why?"
Police said Sandra Williams is badly injured, but is unbelievably strong.
"The female victim's will to live and tenacity to survive is not only what saved her life but made it possible to find the second victim and to arrest a suspect," Chief Tony Tanner said. "If she wouldn't have fought to live and get out of that trunk, we would have had two deceased victims."
WATCH: Woman shot, locked in truck; calls 911 to ID shooter
Tim Williams' family describes Sandra Williams as a "nice, nice woman" who routinely gave co-workers rides.
"I'm praying for the young lady and her family, that she gets through this," Parker said.