Illegal Immigrant Charged in Hit-and-Run Death

An undocumented immigrant, who faces charges for hitting and killing a North Carolina man, has a history of multiple drunk-driving incidents but was repeatedly let go by local officials.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to take Wilmer Fuentes Mejia into custody. He allegedly struck and killed a 61-year-old man in Durham in September and then fled the scene. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that the Trump administration believes Mejia should have been detained prior to this tragic event.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that “Wilmer Fuentes Mejia is an illegal alien from Guatemala with a history of drunk driving and was deported by ICE in 2020.” She further explained that the local prosecutor allowed him to go free after multiple DUI charges and that this ultimately led to the hit-and-run that took the life of an innocent individual.

Mejia, whose real name is Verner Orozco-Clemente, is accused of fatally injuring Richard Ferguson Jr. with his vehicle in Durham on September 13. Records show that he had been previously deported from the U.S. and was arrested in 2020 for suspicion of driving under the influence but was released without bail by the Democratic district attorney at the time.

After his release, Mejia failed to attend a court hearing related to his 2020 DUI arrest, leading to a warrant for his arrest. However, no further action was taken until the collision involving Ferguson occurred in September.

DHS reported that Mejia’s criminal history includes two prior arrests for drunk driving and assault, which raises concerns over his 2020 release without bail.

A representative from the Wake County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

Mejia first entered the U.S. illegally in 2015 and was released under the Obama administration. He was deported in 2020 during the Trump administration but re-entered the country illegally, which is a felony under federal law.

Richard Ferguson Jr.’s brother expressed his grief, reflecting on their shared struggles, stating, “Twenty-some years ago, I was going through a tough time with drug addiction, and my brother helped me get through it. He never gave up on me… He didn’t deserve to be killed.”

Cooperation with ICE has been a divisive topic in Wake County, with former Republican Sheriff Donnie Harrison losing an election bid amidst controversy surrounding local law enforcement’s immigration enforcement policies. The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to collaborate with immigration officials to apprehend criminal immigrants.

Wake County District Attorney Lorin Freeman, who was in the office when Mejia was released, announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election in 2026.

McLaughlin concluded, “Richard Ferguson Jr. will receive justice. ICE has filed a motion to detain this criminal to ensure that he is not released back onto America’s streets.”