State's Attorney Announces Sentence of Driver in Deadly Hyattsville Crash
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced today that 25-year-old Leonard Warren has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspending all but 8 years, followed by 5 years of supervised probation, following his conviction for fleeing and eluding police resulting in the death of 33-year-old Esmerelda Carolina Montoya Perez.
On February 28, 2025, Warren fled a traffic stop in Hyattsville after initially coming to a stop. Warren, who did not have a valid driver’s license, drove at speeds of up to 90 mph and used the shoulder to pass slower traffic. Warren struck and killed Montoya Perez, who was waiting for a bus. Montoya Perez was survived by her husband and two daughters.
“The loss of Ms. Montoya Perez is a tragic reminder of the consequences that can follow when a driver chooses to flee a traffic stop,” said State’s Attorney Jackson. “The defendant’s decision put others in danger, with devastating consequences for Ms. Perez and her family. This sentence holds him accountable for that decision, and I am grateful to the prosecutors and law enforcement partners who worked to pursue justice for Ms. Montoya Perez and her loved ones.”
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The Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, Maryland is the primary law enforcement agency. The office is tasked with safeguarding the rights and interests of the residents of Prince George's County through the prosecution of a broad range of criminal cases and by protecting and supporting victims of crime.
