A 33-year-old woman from Chicago, Montoya Perry, has been charged with murder and vehicular carjacking following a tragic incident that left an Uber driver dead. On February 23, Perry allegedly stole the vehicle of 28-year-old Daniel Figueroa outside Loretto Hospital while he was making a delivery.
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According to the Chicago Police Department, the carjacking unfolded around early morning hours when Figueroa was attacked. As he attempted to prevent the theft by grabbing the passenger-side door handle, he was dragged alongside Perry’s vehicle before ultimately being run over by one of its tyres.
Perry was arrested a few hours after the incident, with reports indicating that she was smiling in her mugshot. Accusations of her actions following the event surfaced when a post, which has since been deleted, appeared on her Facebook page. The message, purportedly from Perry, included the alarming statement: “The s*** we had to do to get home is crazy, but we made it && if u missing a car, u can come get it!! We don’t want it!!”
Daniel Figueroa, a family man, was remembered fondly by those who knew him. He was reportedly making deliveries for Uber Eats to earn extra income after completing his shifts at a local Amazon warehouse. His partner, Sandra Guerrero, has since launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting herself and their young child during this difficult time. In her message on the crowdfunding page, Guerrero expressed the overwhelming challenges she now faces as she adjusts to life without Figueroa and strives to provide for their family.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office informed that Figueroa was killed in the incident after unsuccessfully trying to stop the group involved in the carjacking. The prosecutor stated that Perry’s reckless actions led to Figueroa being dragged and ultimately fatally injured when he fell and was struck by the vehicle.
Authorities used automatic license plate readers to trace the stolen vehicle’s movements, which enabled them to locate Perry’s home later that day. She was taken into custody around noon and has been charged with serious offences.
During her court appearance on February 25, Perry was remanded without bail until her next hearing, which is scheduled for March 18. At this stage, Perry has not formally entered a plea, and her legal representative has not provided comments regarding the case.
Interestingly, court papers reveal that just two weeks prior to the carjacking, Perry had been arrested for multiple offences, including driving on a suspended license and fleeing from the police, following an incident where she falsely identified herself as her sister.
As the community mourns the loss of Daniel Figueroa, many are raising awareness around the alarming increase in carjackings and individual safety in urban environments. With the support of friends and family, efforts to honour Figueroa’s memory and assist his grieving partner and child are in motion.
The tragic circumstances surrounding this incident highlight the dangers faced by rideshare drivers as they navigate through their daily tasks. As investigations continue and the community seeks justice for Figueroa, further discussions on public safety measures may arise in the wake of this devastating event.