Eliezer De la Cruz, 21, of Yonkers, New York was shot and killed Saturday night while driving a rental SUV. His 21-year-old passenger, who is from the Bronx in New York city, suffered a broke leg during the crash.
According to Hermitage precinct detectives, the rental vehicle was being chased on I-40 east by a black or dark blue BMW SUV and a black or dark blue Chrysler 300 sedan. Shots were fired at the victims’ rental vehicle. After the gunfire, the victims exited I-40 at The Hermitage ramp. The driver lost control at the top of the ramp, went around the guard rail, descended from a cliff, and landed in the middle of the interstate. De la Cruz died at the scene from being shot.
Cash totaling thousands of dollars was being transported in the SUV. De la Cruz and his friend flew into Nashville from New York on Thursday. Detectives are working to establish where they went while in this area.
Anyone with information about this murder case, including the whereabouts of the BMW SUV and/or the Chrysler 300 sedan, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.
