Tragedy in Ohio: Haitian-Born Student’s Death Ruled a Suicide

A college student from Haiti living in Ohio has died, and his family believes it was a suicide linked to the loss of his temporary protected status as a result of changes made during the Trump administration. Pierre Damas Bel, just 20 years old, lost his life on Monday when he stepped into oncoming traffic after pulling over on the right shoulder of Interstate 70, as reported by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol noted that Bel died from his injuries at the scene, and they have stated the incident is still under investigation.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine described Bel’s death as a “horrible, horrible tragedy.” He reflected on Bel’s life, sharing that he had recently graduated high school and was well-liked, with dreams about contributing to society through his education and future endeavors.

Governor DeWine went on to question the morality of the deportation processes affecting individuals like Bel—asking if such actions were truly what people wanted in their names.

Bel’s father expressed to The Haitian Times that his son had become “distraught” after being placed on an ankle monitor. This measure came after the Department of Homeland Security mandated monitoring for some Haitian immigrants in the Springfield area, following a Supreme Court decision facilitating the end of Haiti’s TPS designation— which puts around 350,000 Haitian nationals at risk of deportation.

In an emotional statement, Bel’s father described his son as an “energetic kid” who was passionate about life and his education. The changes in his circumstances were clearly troubling for him. In his last phone call to his father, he expressed feeling unwell mentally, which understandably raised concerns for his family.

A month before his passing, Bel had publicly spoken about his troubling experience with the ankle monitor on social media, sharing the feelings of shame and humiliation it brought him. He questioned how he could even participate in college sports while being monitored like a criminal.

Carl Ruby, a pastor in Springfield, stated that the family believes Bel’s death is a direct consequence of Trump’s immigration policies targeting TPS holders. He expressed his sorrow over the situation, highlighting the need for awareness about the profound impact of these policies on people’s lives.

The majority of the Haitian community in Springfield includes individuals who have been unable to return to Haiti due to ongoing violence and poverty there.

In response to the tragedy, ICE has refrained from commenting on the specific details surrounding Bel’s death while investigations are ongoing.

Bel was set to start his first semester at Wright State University after graduating in May. His past experiences—including his attempts to have the ankle monitor removed to enable him to play soccer—illustrate the personal challenges he faced during this difficult time.

The president of Wright State University, Sue Edwards, expressed her condolences, emphasizing that Bel was an honors student passionate about soccer and deeply engaged in his community. The loss is felt by many, and his family continues to seek understanding and support in the aftermath of this unimaginable loss.