University of South Carolina student, 21, killed in hit-and-run crash involving illegal immigrant: DHS
A junior at the University of South Carolina was killed Wednesday in a hit-and-run near campus involving an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials.In an X post Thursday, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, said the driver was “in our country illegally,” noting 21-year-old Nathanial “Nate” G.Baker “should be alive today.”“@DHSgov prays for Nate’s family, friends, and loved ones and will work every day to protect innocent Americans like Nate,” McLaughlin wrote.Rosali I.
Fernandez-Cruz, 24, is charged with hit-and-run resulting in death, failure to give information and render aid, failure to yield the right of way and driving without a license, according to a statement from the Columbia Police Department (CPD).At the time of the crash, Fernandez-Cruz was wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), police said. A DHS source told Fox News Fernandez-Cruz was arrested by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas, on Dec.24, 2016.Nearly two years later, on Sept.
6, 2018, an immigration judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, ordered Fernandez-Cruz to be sent back to El Salvador. Just after 2 p.m.on Wednesday, Fernandez-Cruz allegedly failed to yield the right of way while turning left at Blossom and Assembly streets, hitting Baker, who was on a motorcycle, with his truck, according to police.Baker was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, according to the Richland County Coroner’s Office.Fernandez-Cruz is accused of not stopping or rendering aid to Baker or reporting the incident to police, according to the statement.He reportedly drove away from the accident site and ran from the vehicle. A nearby CPD officer found and detained Fernandez-Cruz on the 1100 block of Greene Street. Two men were with Fernandez-Cruz at the time of the accident and also fled, according to police.
No charges are pending against them.The immigration status of the other men is unknow...