A man who was allowed to stay in the United States during former President Biden’s administration is now facing charges after allegedly fleeing a head-on crash in Prince George’s County, leaving a woman from Maryland critically injured, as reported by Breitbart News.
On November 25, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended Honduran national Kevin Alexis Mendez Ortiz in Oxon Hill, Maryland, during a focused operation.
ICE officials state that on November 9, Mendez-Ortiz was driving in Prince George’s County when he crossed into oncoming traffic, leading to a direct collision with another vehicle.
The unnamed woman sustained serious injuries, including a fractured vertebra, broken collarbone, broken wrist, broken ribs, damaged intestines and uterus, a ruptured diaphragm, a collapsed lung, and a concussion.
Following the incident, Mendez-Ortiz reportedly left the scene.
“This tragic incident highlights why ICE is committed to locating, apprehending, and removing undocumented immigrants who threaten public safety,” stated Jeremy Bacon, the acting director of ICE’s Baltimore field office, during an interview with Breitbart News.
“American citizens have been seriously harmed due to the reckless actions of undocumented individuals who do not have the legal right to be here,” Bacon added. “We wish a full and rapid recovery for those injured. Our office will keep working diligently to protect our communities from individuals who jeopardize public safety through their illegal activities.”
In the days following the collision, Prince George’s County Police listed several traffic violations against Mendez-Ortiz:
- Failed to provide a driver’s license when requested by an officer
- Failure to present a vehicle registration when asked by a police officer
- Driving on a highway without the required license or permit
- Did not stop immediately at the scene of an accident involving personal injury
- Failed to return or remain at the scene of an accident involving vehicle damage
- Did not provide insurance information after the incident
- Improper lane use on the roadway
- Unsafe vehicular behavior after a hit-and-run
- Inadequate speed control to prevent collisions
- Noncompliance with traffic control devices
- Disregarded designated lane directions
Mendez-Ortiz was initially arrested after crossing the southern border at Hidalgo, Texas, on September 30, 2022. Due to the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy at that time, undocumented immigrants were often issued notices to appear and released into the U.S. interior.
