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Pedestrian Killed By Fleeing Fugitive In Hyattsville Identified As Riverdale Woman By AG

New details have been released by the Maryland Attorney General's office after a fugitive struck and killed a Riverdale woman while fleeing police in Prince George's County.

Warren Leonard, 23, of Washington, DC, was wanted for second-degree rape when a Hyattsville City Police officer attempted a traffic stop around 10:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28.

Leonard briefly stopped in the 3300 block of East-West Highway before taking off westbound, investigators said.

The officer ended the pursuit near 23rd Avenue, but moments later, Leonard lost control, swerved onto the shoulder, and fatally struck a pedestrian in the 2200 block of East-West Highway in Chillum.

The woman, identified as 33-year-old Esmeralda Montoya-Perez by the AG on Tuesday, March 4, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After arresting Leonard, officers found he was not only a fugitive but also carrying a handgun with an extended magazine, officials said.

He has since been charged with firearm possession, with more charges likely to follow.

The Hyattsville City Police Department officer involved was also identified by the AG as Private Carlos Flores, a 1-year veteran of the agency's Patrol Services Division with 4 years of prior service.

Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was set up by her loved ones who are looking to send her body back to El Salvador.

"I am asking for help from the entire community to be able to repatriate the body of our dear friend to her country of origin, El Salvador," organizers wrote. 

"Unfortunately, she lost her life on March 1st in the early morning in a serious accident where she was a victim of a reckless person behind the wheel."

The GoFundMe can be found here.

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