Shock and grief envelop the University of South Carolina community as they mourn the loss of 21-year-old student Nate Baker, who was involved in a tragic hit-and-run incident.
According to Just The News, an undocumented migrant from El Salvador faces multiple charges after fatally striking a University of South Carolina student in a hit-and-run incident near campus on Wednesday.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Rosali Fernandez-Cruz, 24, struck and killed 21-year-old Nate Baker while driving without a license. Immigration authorities revealed that Fernandez-Cruz was already wanted at the time of the crash and had a previous border arrest in 2016.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records show Fernandez-Cruz's first encounter with U.S. authorities occurred in Hidalgo, Texas, where border patrol agents apprehended him. Despite this previous arrest, he managed to remain in the country illegally.
The Columbia Police Department has filed multiple charges against Fernandez-Cruz related to Wednesday's fatal incident. These include hit-and-run resulting in death, driving without a license, failing to yield right of way, and failing to provide information and render aid at the accident scene.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed the tragic incident on the social media platform X, highlighting the immigration status of the suspect. Her statement emphasized the preventable nature of the student's death.
The deadly crash occurred near the University of South Carolina campus, where Baker was riding his motorcycle. Fernandez-Cruz, driving a truck, collided with Baker's motorcycle before fleeing the scene without stopping to help.
Law enforcement quickly launched an investigation following the incident, leading to Fernandez-Cruz's arrest. The suspect's attempt to evade responsibility has drawn criticism from both local authorities and federal immigration officials.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of immigration enforcement and the potential consequences of unauthorized presence in the United States. Local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The University of South Carolina community faces the devastating loss of a young student. Baker, at just 21 years old, became another tragic statistic in hit-and-run accidents involving unlicensed drivers.
The case has garnered attention from federal authorities due to the immigration status of the suspect. ICE's involvement suggests potential additional immigration-related consequences for Fernandez-Cruz beyond the criminal charges.
Local prosecutors are preparing their case against Fernandez-Cruz, who faces significant jail time if convicted of the hit-and-run death charge. The combination of state criminal charges and federal immigration violations complicates the legal proceedings.
Rosali Fernandez-Cruz, an undocumented migrant from El Salvador with a prior border arrest, struck and killed University of South Carolina student Nate Baker in a hit-and-run collision on Wednesday. The incident occurred near campus when Fernandez-Cruz, driving without a license, hit Baker's motorcycle and fled the scene. The suspect now faces multiple charges, including hit-and-run resulting in death, while immigration authorities have confirmed his illegal status and previous encounters with border patrol.
