Cesar Tejada, 58, was killed while working as an Uber driver in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in the pre-dawn hours of New Year’s Day. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tejada had been married 22 years to his wife, Evelyn, and was father to two sons, Anthony and Cesar. He was described as someone who loved music, nature and his orchids and who provided for his family.

At approximately 4:13 a.m. on January 1, 2026, Tejada picked up a passenger identified as 15-year-old Christian Simmons. After arriving at a location on Groveland Parkway, Simmons allegedly exited the vehicle, shot Tejada and left him in the roadway before stealing Tejada’s SUV. A resident discovered Tejada’s body around 5:20 a.m. Investigators determined he had sustained at least one gunshot wound.

Ring camera footage and FLOCK camera technology, with cooperation from Uber, were used to track the stolen SUV to Lilburn, where Simmons was taken into custody. Simmons has been charged as an adult with murder; authorities believe the motive was a carjacking. A GoFundMe campaign was started by Tejada’s wife to support the family. If anyone knew Cesar or saw activity around Groveland Parkway that morning, please share information.