Cops: Person in custody after delivery driver killed outside Loretto Hospital

A person of interest was in custody Tuesday in connection with the death of the UberEats driver outside Loretto Hospital on Chicago’s West Side, authorities said.

Just after 2 a.m. Monday morning, Daniel Figueroa, 28, of Downers Grove, was found unresponsive in the 5500 block of West Flournoy Street in the Austin neighborhood, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office and Chicago police.

Figueroa, who had grown up in Downers Grove, was just trying to make a living, his father Carlos Figueroa told the Tribune in a brief call Monday. His son had been a driver for UberEats alongside working as an Amazon delivery driver, Carlos Figueroa said. He was living in Downers Grove with his girlfriend and her son, whom he had thought of as his own.

One person was in custody with Harrison area detectives, but no criminal charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon, a Chicago police spokesperson confirmed.

Figueroa was found lying on the ground outside Loretto after a doctor had ordered UberEats to the hospital, according to a police report obtained by the Tribune. Employees inside told police that the driver had delivered the food and then exited, the report said.

Meanwhile, video footage shows three people walking up to a vehicle parked in the hospital turnaround and entering it. Figueroa is seen leaving the hospital when he sees someone trying to take his van. He then hops on the passenger side door and is dragged about half a block, leaving traumatic injuries to both his head and body, according to the report.

Figueroa was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A Loretto spokesperson in an emailed statement said, “We are aware of the tragic incident.”

“On behalf of Loretto Hospital, our prayers and condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones,” the statement read. “Our focus remains on supporting the safety, health, and well-being of the community we serve during this difficult time.”

The hospital was cooperating with police as they continued to investigate, the spokesperson said.

An Uber spokesperson also issued a written statement saying, “We’re incredibly saddened by this tragic loss.”

Through tears, Carlos Figueroa said his son “was a good kid.”

“I have three boys, and I have to bury,” he faltered, “my youngest.”

Carlos Figueroa recalled going fishing and camping with his son. They used to cook Puerto Rican food together, too. He said his son was trying to perfect his Puerto Rican rice. He was also an aspiring tattoo artist, experimenting with small designs of fishing poles and fishing hooks on himself.

“Somebody took my baby away from me,” Carlos Figueroa said.

Tribune reporter Caroline Kubzansky contributed.

tkenny@chicagotribune.com