Hit-and-Run Incident Involving Deported Immigrant

An illegal immigrant, previously deported, is accused of killing a man in a hit-and-run incident after being released without bail by local prosecutors.

Wilmer Fuentes Mejia allegedly struck an American man with his vehicle in Durham, North Carolina, back in September. Reports indicate that the individual, who has been deported twice, was arrested in 2020 for suspected drunk driving in Wake County but was released without bail by the district attorney.

This case has reignited discussions about Wake County’s sanctuary policies, especially in light of the suspect’s previous arrests and the murder of Irina Zalutka in nearby Mecklenburg County.

Richard Ferguson Jr. lost his life on September 13 when his vehicle veered off the road near a bus stop, hitting two signs before colliding with him. He was 61 years old, returning home from his second job and had just exited a city bus.

Prosecutors mentioned in court that Mejia had prior deportations. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson has not commented on Mejia’s immigration background.

Court documents show that Mejia was ordered arrested after he missed a court appearance related to his 2020 DWI arrest. Surprisingly, he was not apprehended until after the accident involving Ferguson.

Wake County District Attorney Lorin Freeman noted that, typically, defendants with no criminal history may be released to a sober adult, a situation that seems to apply here. She referenced North Carolina’s guidelines that allow pretrial release for DUI if the individual isn’t currently under the influence.

Freeman, a Democrat, recently announced she wouldn’t seek re-election after serving over a decade. Wake County leans Democratic, and the cooperation with ICE has long been a contentious issue within local law enforcement.

In Mecklenburg County, another recurring theme of bail issues arose when DeCarlos DeJuan Brown Jr. was arrested multiple times before allegedly murdering Ukrainian refugee Irina Zalutka in a shocking act of violence.

Richard’s brother, Reginald Ferguson, expressed his sorrow, reflecting on how his brother had supported him during tough times in the past. He stated that if Mejia hadn’t been released, his brother might still be alive today.