An undocumented immigrant who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration’s catch-and-release period has been detained for allegedly causing serious injuries to a woman in Maryland through a head-on car collision, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Kevin Alexis Mendez-Ortiz, a national from Honduras, reportedly entered the country illegally in 2022. On November 9, while driving in Oxon Hill, Maryland, he drifted into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into another vehicle. After the incident, he fled the scene.
The passenger of the other car suffered multiple severe injuries, including a fractured spine, broken ribs, and damage to internal organs. Specifically, she experienced injuries like broken collarbones, a ruptured diaphragm, a collapsed lung, and a concussion, as stated by the agency.
Mendez-Ortiz was arrested on November 25 during a focused immigration operation in Oxon Hill. He had initially crossed the border on September 30, 2022, near Hidalgo, Texas, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol and given a notice to appear in court. However, he was later released into the U.S. before his court date.
Moreover, on November 12, the Prince George’s County Police cited him for several hit-and-run-related offenses, which included not producing a driver’s license or vehicle registration, driving without authorization, and failing to stop after an accident.
Jeremy Bacon, the Acting Director of ICE’s Baltimore Field Office, emphasized the importance of identifying and removing illegal immigrants who pose a danger to public safety. He expressed concern about the serious injuries inflicted by an individual with no legal right to be in the country and extended wishes for a full recovery to the victim. ICE’s commitment to safeguarding communities from such irresponsible actions remains steadfast.
