FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the fatal officer-involved pedestrian collision on Friday, February 28, 2025 involving the Hyattsville City Police Department (HPD) in Chillum, Prince George’s County, Maryland.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Private Carlos Flores of the Hyattsville City Police Department (HPD) observed a Lincoln sedan with an inoperable center brake light. Private Flores followed the vehicle into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a traffic stop by activating his emergency lights and siren. The driver initially stopped but then fled westbound on East-West Highway. Private Flores followed the vehicle briefly while notifying HPD dispatch of the vehicle's description and tag number. Private Flores terminated the attempted traffic stop, deactivated his emergency equipment, and maneuvered into the left-turn lane. The Lincoln traveled on the right shoulder and proceeded through the intersection at 23rd Avenue and East-West Highway. Shortly after the intersection, the sedan struck a pedestrian, later identified as Esmeralda Montoya-Perez, who was on the side of the roadway. The driver was taken into custody at the scene by Private Flores and transported to an area hospital. Montoya-Perez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Due to the severity of the injuries, no lifesaving aid was administered.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal officer-involved pedestrian collision on Saturday, February 28, 2025, and concluded its investigation on Thursday July 3, 2025. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute any of the officers in this case.
A copy of the IID’s detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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