Man Receives Sentence in Uber Driver Shooting

A Plano man has received a 40-year prison sentence for shooting an Uber driver in a shocking road rage incident.

At a Glance

Robert Crolley, 43, was sentenced to 40 years for shooting Uber driver Guillermo Martinez.
Martinez spent a month in a coma and three months recovering in the hospital.
Crolley was identified through eyewitness accounts and security camera footage.
Collin County DA emphasized the threat of road rage to innocent drivers.
Martinez is grateful to have survived but acknowledges his life has been significantly altered.

Road Rage Incident Leaves Uber Driver Fighting for His Life

In March 2023, a routine day for Uber driver Guillermo Martinez turned into a nightmare when he became the victim of a violent road rage incident in Plano, Texas. Robert Crolley, 43, shot Martinez multiple times in an unprovoked attack that left the driver critically injured and fighting for his life.

The incident occurred shortly after Martinez had dropped off a passenger and was driving to his next destination. Martinez shared with reporters that he called 911 after the shooting, but that he spent the next month in a coma. The severity of his injuries was evident as he spent an additional three months recovering in the hospital.

A Plano man will spend the next 40 years in prison for a road rage shooting that nearly killed an Uber driver. https://t.co/s89silD9EI

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) October 9, 2024

Investigation and Arrest

Plano police quickly launched an investigation into the shooting. Through eyewitness interviews and security camera footage, they identified Crolley’s car next to Martinez’s at the time of the incident. The suspect was traced via his vehicle’s license plate and subsequently arrested during a traffic stop, where he was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition matching evidence from the crime scene.

“The guy shot me six times. I got six shots in me. I got my phone, and I called 911,” Martinez said during a FOX 4 interview last year.

Crolley’s attempt to evade justice became apparent when text messages revealed he had asked his roommate to hide his car, claiming he had been driving drunk. This evidence, along with Crolley’s prior convictions for grand larceny and simple assault and battery, would later play a crucial role in his sentencing.

Trial and Sentencing

During the trial, Crolley provided multiple conflicting stories, including a claim of self-defense. However, investigators found no evidence that Martinez had been armed or had provoked the attack in any way. Crolley, according to police, called his roommate while in jail and said he shot Martinez in self-defense, saying, “I should be fine if [he] can just convince a jury.”

“Road rage is a threat to every driver on our roads, and it has no place in Collin County,” DA Willis stated following Crolley’s sentence. “This victim didn’t know his attacker and did nothing wrong—he was just doing his job, when he nearly lost his life.”

Crolley was ultimately sentenced to 40 years in prison for the senseless act of violence. This sentence sends a strong message about the serious consequences of road rage and the importance of protecting innocent citizens.

The Aftermath for Guillermo Martinez

While justice has been served, the road to recovery for Guillermo Martinez remains long and challenging. The shooting has had a profound impact on his life, both physically and emotionally. Martinez lost nearly 50 pounds during his hospital stay and faces more surgeries in the future.

“My life is changed. Everything has changed for me,” Martinez said.

Despite the hardships, Martinez has expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal. His story serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of road rage and the importance of maintaining composure behind the wheel. As communities grapple with such senseless acts of violence, the hope is that severe penalties like Crolley’s sentence will deter future incidents and make our roads safer for everyone.