Police ID Uber driver killed in Gwinnett carjacking and 15-year-old suspect
A 15-year-old boy is accused of hailing an Uber, then killing the driver and stealing his SUV hours into the new year, police in Gwinnett County said Friday.
The teenager, whom police charged with murder and identified as Christian Simmons, used the Uber app to hire the driver, who arrived at Simmons’ Lilburn home at 4:13 a.m. Thursday, according to officials. After a 10-mile ride to Lawrenceville, Simmons got out of the back seat, shot the driver and pulled him onto the street, police said.
Then, Simmons allegedly drove away in the man’s SUV, leaving him to die. Cesar Tejada, 58, a married father of two from Grayson, was making money to support his family when he was killed, police said.
“It’s a senseless act and not the way any family would want to start a new year,” Lawrenceville police Capt. Dena Pauly said during a Friday news conference.
The police department in Gwinnett’s county seat investigated only two homicides in all of 2025.
In addition to murder, Simmons has been charged with hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a gun by anyone under the age of 18, court records show. He has been charged as an adult.
Simmons and Tejada had no prior connection, according to police.
“We do not have any other motive other than Mr. Simmons wanted the vehicle,” Pauly said.
About 10 minutes after he allegedly shot Tejada, Simmons returned to the Lawrenceville neighborhood before leaving again and going back to Lilburn, according to police. When he left the Lawrenceville street the second time, investigators say they believe Simmons returned to the same address where Tejada had picked him up.
At 5:20 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway after a 911 caller reported a person in the roadway, police said. The address is off Five Forks Trickum Road. Tejada had died before officers arrived.
With help from Uber, along with Ring camera footage and Flock Safety technology, which includes license plate readers, investigators quickly tracked down Simmons.
Around 1 p.m., officers located the SUV near a home on Hardwood Circle in Lilburn, police said. When Simmons walked outside and headed down the street, he was arrested.
Simmons had friends in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, but investigators say they don’t believe he met up with anyone while there. Investigators believe he acted alone, police said Friday.
An Uber spokesperson called Tejada’s death a “devastating loss.”
“Our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” an Uber spokesperson said. “We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation.”
Uber has various safety measures in place to protect drivers, but Tejada likely did not have time to ask for help.
The investigation is continuing into the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lawrenceville police.
