Decision Reached On Charges After Driver Flees Police In Hyattsville

CHILLUM, MD — State investigators have made a decision on whether to file criminal charges in the case of a woman who was hit and killed by a vehicle fleeing a Hyattsville police chase.

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Monday said he will not seek charges in the fatal officer-involved pedestrian collision on Feb. 28 involving the Hyattsville City Police Department in Chillum.

According to the Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division, Esmeralda Montoya-Perez, 33, of Riverdale was hit by a vehicle fleeing police. The crash happened after a Hyattsville police officer tried to stop a Lincoln sedan with an inoperable center brake light in the 3300 block of East-West Highway in Chillum.

The Lincoln was driven by Warren Leonard, 23, of Washington, D.C., according to WUSA. Leonard was wanted on an outstanding warrant for second-degree rape and was accused of carrying a gun with an extended magazine during the chase.

Investigators said Leonard initially stopped, but later fled. Private Carlos Flores pursued the car on westbound East-West Highway before he called off the pursuit as both cars approached the road's intersection with 23rd Avenue.

According to investigators, Leonard drove through the intersection, sped onto the shoulder of the highway and hit Montoya-Perez on the side of the road before his vehicle rolled over. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division concluded its investigation on July 3, and Brown determined Flores did not commit a crime under Maryland law.

A copy of the IID’s investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.

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