Adriana Arocha-Duque, a 34-year-old Lyft driver, was fatally shot on the night of December 26, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. She was found dead in the driver's seat of her vehicle in the Austin neighborhood. The incident occurred while she was dropping off two passengers around 8:45 p.m.
According to the Chicago police, officers responded to a call in the 4800 block of West Thomas, where they found Arocha-Duque's car had struck two parked vehicles.
Upon investigation, they discovered that she had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arocha-Duque, originally from Venezuela, had immigrated to the United States seeking asylum. She was described by her family as a strong, working woman who was very loving and had many friends. She drove for Lyft to earn extra money and was also a caregiver to her dog, Hunter. Her family is now coping with the loss of someone they deeply cherished.
The investigation into her death is ongoing, with Area Four detectives working on the case. A community alert issued by the police noted that at least seven rideshare drivers were robbed in December, with some incidents involving victims being hit in the head with a gun. However, it remains unclear if these incidents are connected to Arocha-Duque's death.
A witness reported seeing a man and a woman running away from the vehicle, and surveillance footage captured images of the suspects, although no detailed descriptions have been released yet. The family and community are seeking justice and calling for rideshare companies to take action to ensure the safety of their drivers.
Lyft has issued a statement expressing their condolences to Arocha-Duque's loved ones and has offered support to her family. They are also in contact with law enforcement to assist with the investigation.
