Cesar Tejada, Georgia Uber driver shot dead by 15-year-old teen, Christian Simmons of Lilburn in carjacking on New Year’s Day. Victim had woken up just an hour earlier, kissed his wife & 2 kids goodbye and headed out to work. Less than an hour later he was dead.
A 15 year old Georgia teen has been charged with the carjacking death of an Uber driver after he had gone on out on New Year’s and tried to make some extra money according to family only to be killed.
Cesar Tejada, 58, of Grayson, Ga., was fatally shot by 15-year-old Christian Simmons of Lilburn whilst driving the teen to the requested destination just on 4.30 a.m, Thursday, January 1.
Victim Uber driver picked up his ride just on 4.30 a.m on New Year’s Day
‘Mr. Tejada was working as an Uber driver to provide for his family,’ Lawrenceville Police said in a statement according to WSB-TV. ‘We extend our deepest condolences to the Tejada family during this incredibly difficult time.’
Police said leading up to the carjacking along Groveland Parkway in Lawrenceville, the two not having an argument or confrontation.
Ring camera video captured a black SUV pulling up around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. It then showed the driver stopping, the trunk opening and Tejada getting out followed by the teen. A couple minutes go by, with the vehicle taking off, with Tejada lying on the ground.
Video from 15 minutes later showed the same vehicle returning to the scene and stopping next to the body.
Lawrenceville police say Tejada, a married father of two, was carjacked and shot at least once.
Victim had gotten up an hour earlier, kissed his family goodbye and headed out to work
Police responded to the scene around 5:20 a.m. Jan. 1 following a call about an unresponsive individual lying on the ground. Tejada was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police were able to track Simmons down using his Uber information and a Flock camera system to trace where Tejada’s vehicle was left. The teen allegedly left the SUV in the same neighborhood where he was originally picked up.
Following his arrest, the 15-year-old was charged as an adult with murder.
Tejada’s wife, Evelyn says he started his shift that morning as he always does.
‘Cesar’s alarm went off at the same time it did every day to go to work at 3:30am,’ the grieving widow recalled. ‘This was his usual set time to wake up and go to work for Uber. He left the house not knowing that it would be his last time.’
Tejada kissed his family goodbye, climbed into his car, and headed out to work, not knowing that less than an hour later this would be the last time he saw his family and dead within the hour.
Uber release statement, GoFundme launched
Stated Uber in a released statement; ‘We’re saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation.’
Uber says the rider’s account has been banned. It’s unclear if that person is the teenager who was arrested or someone else.
The victim’s family has since started a GoFundme fundraiser in memory of the beloved husband and father.
