An illegal immigrant on the run from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement charged in the hit-and-run crash that killed a University of South Carolina Nate Baker Wednesday.
Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, 24, allegedly fled the fatal scene after he failed to yield and rammed his pick-up truck into a motorcycle operated by Nathanial Baker, 21, on Blossom and Assembly Streets near the university’s campus in Columbia around 2 p.m., according to the Columbia Police Department.
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The careless motorist, who was allegedly driving without a license, was wanted by ICE since 2018, a Department of Homeland Security source told The Post.
“A South Carolina student was killed yesterday because of an illegal alien who had no right to be here,” South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said in an X post Thursday.
“We’re going to fight like hell to get every last illegal alien out of South Carolina. We’re praying for the victim, his family, and the students at USC who have been touched by his passing. Hold the Line South Carolina.”
Sources said Fernandez-Cruz, a native of El Salvador, illegally crossed the US-Mexico border at an unknown date but was arrested by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas on Dec. 24, 2016. He was released the next day and issued a notice to appear as DHS initiated removal proceedings.
An immigration judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, then ordered the illegal migrant to be sent back to his home country on Sept. 6, 2018, sources said.
South Carolina police said Fernandez-Cruz was driving with two male passengers when he killed Baker, a business major from Glen Allen, Virginia, and fled the crash site. He then abandoned his truck and was nabbed by a nearby officer who found and detained him near the 1100 block of Greene Street, according to cops.
ICE was notified of the arrest after police discovered Fernandez-Cruz’s name listed in the National Crime Information Center database.
The two passengers, who also ran from the scene, aren’t facing criminal charges, police said.
Scores of grief-stricken USC students have since created a memorial on a sidewalk near the deadly crash site, leaving behind messages in chalk, flowers, pictures, and candles, according to local reports.
“Rest in Peace, Nate,” one message said, WACH reported.
“Thank you for the memories. We love you so much.”
Baker’s fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, also shared their sorrow on Instagram, calling their fallen brother a leader, role model and a true embodiment of what their group stands for.
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“Nate Baker brought light, laughter, and love into all of our lives,” the fraternity wrote in the post.
“Nate will always be remembered for the way he showed up for others and the impact he had on everyone around him. His passion, loyalty, and love for this brotherhood will never be forgotten. May we honor his memory by living with the same kindness, selflessness and generosity that he showed to everyone around him.”
The university released a statement calling the situation a tragedy. School officials offered their deepest sympathies to Baker’s family and friends while reminding the campus community that university counselors are available to grieving students.
Fernandez-Cruz was 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.
He is being held without bond at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and an ICE detainer in place.
If you see someone who is of the hispanic race driving in Charlotte you can bet they don't have insurance or a valid driver's license.
ReplyDeleteI’m guessing in sc, they call ice when they see the detainer? Not like in Charlotte
ReplyDeleteCan’t we just send him back to El Sal and save the court time?
Dude was 15 when he came in illegally. He never learned to obey the laws here. No license, no insurance, no recourse for the family.
Catholic Services, Lutheran Services Carolinas, these NGO’s who more than aided but facilitated this invasion need to be held responsible.
Hispanic is not a race. It is a ethnicity. Like Black the race is Negro but y'all stay ignorant.
ReplyDeleteNow of them know how to drive. Drunk is normal for them. You would be drunk all the time too if you had to live ten people to an apartment.
ReplyDeleteA knock on effect of lack of affordable housing in Charlotte. Inhumane conditions
DeleteOr maybe get a job and don’t expect the government to provide for you. Be a man, not a leech pussy
DeleteA truck load of them at the Circle K taking their stinking homemade bean burritos inside to warm em up in the microwave intended for "sold" sandwiches that don't stink. These dirty migrants have no manners no sense of hygiene feral pigs is being kind.
ReplyDeleteFeral pig is what your wife was begging me to call her while I was railing her when you were busy glaring at Mexicans and the Circle K.
DeleteMexicans I just can't imagine living in country where everyone wants you to be deported.
ReplyDeleteWord is they've told traffic units and DUI to not charge individuals in fear of deportation
ReplyDeleteYou mean like when the IA Majors daughter was caught DWI and told to be let go?
DeleteEllaborate! No way? How did that happen?
DeleteThe officer who stopped her got a direct order to let her go. That officer is now a DWI task force. Gotta do shit in this place to get places. Cowardism at its finest.
Delete1052, I’ve said that for years. No one gets special unit or stripes without something like that. They tried to give a take home to shut me up about a clusterfuck once. Stay safe.
DeleteDeport them all.
ReplyDelete