Mark Dean, 48, of Gretna, Louisiana, a longtime local journalist and producer, is accused of being an illegal immigrant in the death of his friend in the Aug. 23 crash on the Crescent City Connection Bridge.
Jorge Alberto Martinez Sanchez, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant who had previously been denied a visa to enter the United States, was arrested and charged with negligence resulting in death, reckless driving and driving without a license in connection with Dean's death.
According to Louisiana State Police, Dean driving On the morning of Aug. 23, Martinez-Sanchez rear-ended his motorcycle as he was crossing the Crescent City Connection Bridge.
Martinez-Sanchez was driving without a license and was speeding at the time, and Dean, who was wearing a proper helmet, was launched into the air and died at the scene of the crash.
Martinez-Sanchez then collided with another vehicle. Both he and the driver of the other vehicle were uninjured in the accident.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed to WDSU that Martinez-Sanchez is an illegal immigrant residing in the U.S. Reportedly In 2019, he was denied a visa to visit the United States.
“This should never have happened, and our Administration will continue to fight back against the Harris/Biden Administration's radical immigration policies that allowed this tragedy to happen,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) said in a statement.
Sharon and I are saddened to hear of the tragic death of WGNO producer Mark Dean. This should never have happened.
Our Administration will continue to fight back against the Harris/Biden Administration's radical immigration policies that allowed this tragedy to happen.
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) August 27, 2024
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murray said Her office is prosecuting the case and has so far ensured that Martinez-Sanchez is not being held on bail.
“It is heartbreaking! The perpetrator of this horrific accident, 29-year-old Jorge Martinez Sanchez, is an illegal immigrant. Authorities have prosecuted the case and secured his detention without bail,” Malil said in a statement.
Dean native A native of New Orleans, after graduating from Loyola University, he worked for over 20 years as a news editor and sports reporter at local broadcasting station WGNO. He leaves behind his son Lucas Dean and countless family and friends.
“Mark was a loving, caring and above all else, compassionate person to everyone,” Dean's obituary reads.
He loved to spend his time seeking adventure. He was an avid and dedicated musician. He was a talented guitarist and played multiple wind instruments in high school and college. He loved electronics. He dabbled in audio/video equipment, video editing, podcasting with friends, and software development. He was considered an absolute grill master and mixologist. However, his true passion was spending time with his loving family and friends. What he enjoyed most was caring for his mother and being an exceptional role model to his son, to whom he dedicated all his time. Mark was unique and irreplaceable, respected and well-liked. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Martinez-Sanchez remains being held without bail at the Orleans Parish Jail.
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter. here.
