Ulises Raigoza Martinez, a man authorities believe to be an illegal immigrant, has been charged with the murder of Matt Carney, the owner of a popular Nashville restaurant. Carney was fatally injured in a hit-and-run incident while trying to prevent a theft.
Martinez, 29, was captured on Thursday and faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, vehicle theft, criminal impersonation, and evading arrest. He is currently held in Davidson County jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Carney, 42, owned Smokin Thighs in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. On June 19, he attempted to stop Martinez and 31-year-old Adrian Diaz from stealing tools from his vehicle. The men struck Carney with a Nissan Frontier truck and fled the scene. Carney succumbed to his injuries on July 4 after being hospitalized for over two weeks.
A GoFundMe page was established to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Carney’s assailants and to support his wife, Molly. The fund has raised over $57,000 to date.
Carney, originally from Adair, Iowa, graduated from Full Sail University in Orlando before moving to Tennessee. He established Smokin Thighs, which started as a food truck in 2012, and became a beloved figure in his community. His funeral service was held at Brentwood Baptist Church, where he was remembered for his joyful spirit and positive attitude.
ICE has placed a detainer on Martinez and plans to interview him to confirm his immigration status. Diaz, who was with Martinez during the incident, is a Mexican national illegally in the U.S. and has been deported four times. His criminal record includes convictions for aggravated burglary and drug possession. Diaz is currently in Williamson County Jail, facing charges of evading arrest and drug possession.
Martinez had previously escaped arrest twice but was eventually captured on Thursday in Nashville. This case underscores the challenges associated with illegal immigration and crime, raising questions about enforcement and public safety.
“Matt will be remembered for his joyful spirit, his loud laugh, and his smile that lit up the room,” his obituary reads. “His friends knew him as the life of the party, with his positive attitude, jokes, and loyalty to those he loved.”
