A Guatemalan illegal migrant has been charged after a suspected drunk-driving crash in San Diego killed an 8-year-old girl and injured several others.
Brayan Alva-Rodriguez was allegedly behind the wheel of a Toyota Tacoma when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Toyota Camry.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the Guatemalan national then collided with another vehicle in front of him, causing his vehicle to flip over and burst into flames.
Alva-Rodriguez and a passenger in the car at the time of the crash were both injured during the incident and were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
Alva-Rodriguez and a passenger in the car at the time of the crash were both injured
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
In total, seven people were believed to have been injured in the crash.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department arrested the 25-year-old on Thursday, before charging him with murder in the first degree, two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that Alva-Rodriguez had two previous convictions for driving under the influence, from 2020 and 2021.
It is unknown when the Guatemalan illegally entered the US.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department arrested the 25-year-old on Thursday
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GETTY
The illegal migrant is currently being held at San Diego Central jail and his bond has been set at $2million (£1.5million).
He is due to appear in court on January 7.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed an arrest detainer, meaning Alva-Rodriguez could face deportation following any criminal proceedings.
In a statement addressing the deadly incident, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: “How many deaths of children at the hands of criminal illegal aliens need to happen before Governor Newsom and sanctuary politicians will prioritise the safety and security of American families?
The DHS said that Alva-Rodriguez had two previous convictions for driving under the influence
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GETTY
“This serial drunk driver should have never been allowed back onto California roads.
“We are praying for the family of this child who will be grieving this holiday season
“Secretary Noem is calling on Governor Newsom to honour this ICE arrest detainer for this illegal alien.”
Under California’s “sanctuary” law, San Diego Sheriff’s Department is prohibited from co-ordinating with ICE to deport illegal migrants.
However, the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom insisted that “nothing prohibits the federal government from doing its job in this case”.
It comes just weeks after San Diego sheriff’s office denied an arrest detainer from ICE for a Mexican migrant who is accused of killing an 11-year-old boy in a hit-and-run.
Balderas-Aheelor allegedly ran over Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz as the boy was was playing football outside his home.
The Mexican national is being held on a $300,000 bail and has been deported from the US on four separate occasions.
