Tragic Crash Claims Life of 8-Year-Old Girl

A mother is sharing her heartbreak after a suspected drunk driver, said to be an illegal immigrant, allegedly caused a fatal accident that took her 8-year-old daughter Alia Cruz Asensio’s life and seriously injured her husband, Oscar, a U.S. Marine. More than a month after the accident, Oscar is still fighting for his life after undergoing a leg amputation.

Jackie Cruz Asensio expressed her pain over the loss of her daughter and her anger toward the driver, arguing that he should never have been in the country. “I care a lot about people who want a better life. I truly do, but I can’t feel sympathy for the person who hurt my family. I’m just angry. He shouldn’t have been here to begin with,” she remarked.

The driver in question, 25-year-old Brian Josué Alba Rodriguez from Guatemala, was arrested while being treated for injuries at the hospital. He faces charges that include murder, vehicular manslaughter, and driving under the influence.

“An innocent life was lost in a preventable tragedy,” stated the San Diego office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in relation to the case.

According to ICE, Alba Rodriguez entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and initially faced immigration proceedings but was released with a notice to appear in court. He had prior DUI charges and was ordered to be deported in March 2023, but he didn’t leave as instructed.

The accident occurred as Cruz-Asensio’s family was returning home from Thanksgiving celebrations when Alba Rodriguez, allegedly intoxicated, crossed the double yellow line and crashed into their vehicle. Jackie recalled the moment of the crash, saying, “An innocent life was lost in a preventable tragedy,” reflecting on feelings of anger that have surfaced as she processes her grief.

Oscar is currently recovering from a traumatic brain injury and managing recovery after the amputation. Jackie recounted that seeing Alia unresponsive felt surreal; initially, she didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation. “When they told me she didn’t make it, that’s when it truly hit me,” she shares, grappling with a mix of sadness and anger over the loss.

This tragic event comes amidst ongoing discussions about issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants in California. The state faces a deadline next month to revoke licenses issued improperly, a contentious issue that continues to unfold.