Federal immigration authorities have placed an arrest detainer on a Mexican national accused of killing a man in a drunk driving crash in Avoyelles Parish, La.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the detainer against 34-year-old Roberto Romero-Hernandez following his August 4 arrest for vehicular homicide and other charges.
According to Louisiana State Police, Romero-Hernandez was driving north on Highway 1 near the Echo community on the night of August 3 when he veered off the roadway and struck a riding lawnmower traveling on the northbound shoulder.
The mower’s operator, 59-year-old Rickey G. Maddox of Alexandria, suffered severe injuries in the crash and was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Romero-Hernandez was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center on charges of vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated (first offense), careless operation, no driver’s license, and expired license plate. DHS said an immigration detainer was issued immediately after his arrest.
An immigration detainer requests that a law enforcement agency notify ICE before releasing a removable alien and hold that person for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release, allowing DHS to take custody in accordance with federal law.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed condolences to the victim’s family and commended federal authorities. “I’m praying for the Maddox family. This should’ve never happened. I’m grateful that President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and ICE are working hard to prevent senseless tragedies like this from happening,” Murrill said.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the incident preventable. “This criminal illegal alien’s reckless decision to drink and drive killed an innocent man. The senseless tragedy should have never happened because Romero-Hernandez should have never been in our country,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin noted that similar cases have occurred recently. “Illegal aliens drinking and driving and killing American citizens happens far more often than the media wants you to know about. Just over the past two weeks, an illegal alien driving under the influence killed a mother and her 11-year-old daughter in New Jersey and two high school sweethearts in Wisconsin. Every death caused by an illegal alien is preventable,” she said.
