Illegal immigrants are accused of causing the crash that killed John Douglas Ratcliffe, a 45-year-old former U.S. Marine and father.
Giovanni Mendoza Jimenez, a 20-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Lexington, South Carolina. Charged Driving without a license, speeding, and failing to stop when approaching a school bus.
According to the Lexington Police Department, Mendoza Jimenez was speeding while driving a van in the early morning hours of May 20, striking Ratcliff, who was driving a motorcycle, and forcing him into the back of a school bus.
As a result, Ratcliffe was pinned between Mendoza Jimenez’s van and the school bus, which was carrying seven students and the driver. One of the students suffered a cut to his arm and was taken to a nearby hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The fatal accident remains under investigation.
Ratcliffe’s obituary state He revealed that he was originally from Roanoke, Virginia, and had served in the U.S. Marine Corps, “which gave him a lot of pride.”
“He was an outstanding person, a dedicated son, a devoted father and fiancé, a loving nephew and a wonderful friend to many. Work was important to him and so was providing for his family, but he had a real passion for fishing, traveling and riding his motorcycle,” Ratcliffe’s obituary stated. “Though Johnny has passed away, he left an incredible mark on the lives of so many and his spirit of generosity and warmth will be an inspiration to us all.”
Mr Ratcliffe leaves behind his son Christian, his fiancée Christine, stepchildren Aiden and Victoria, as well as other friends and family.
Mendoza Jimenez said he is an electrician and has been in the United States illegally for six years, three of which were spent in South Carolina. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued him a detention order requiring him to be held if released at any time.
He is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center. $1,527 He was released on bail and is due to appear in court on June 5th.
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter. here.
