A Mexican national who was deported three times and had his license revoked faces several charges for a fiery crash that killed a 6-year-old girl and seriously injured her mom and brother in North Carolina.
Jaime Santiago Corona, who illegally re-entered the country from Mexico, was arrested following the July 3 car crash in Pitt County, North Carolina.
Corona, 33, was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck when he reportedly ran a stop sign and struck the Toler family’s SUV, killing 6-year-old Calli Toler and seriously injuring two other occupants.
.@ICEgov has lodged a detainer for a three-time deported illegal alien who KILLED a SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL.
Jaime Santiago Corona, from Mexico, was driving with a revoked license when he ran a stop sign and collided with Kelli Toler’s SUV. Toler and her 4-year-old were injured, and… https://t.co/4jIDj1yEr6 pic.twitter.com/IpJ5vs465h
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 8, 2026
Corona remains behind bars on several charges, including misdemeanor death by vehicle, failure to stop for a stop sign, careless and reckless driving, and driving while license is revoked. He’s also being held on an immigration detainer.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Santiago has a history of illegally entering the United States. He crossed the border at least four times on unknown dates. DHS didn’t specify the locations. He was deported in 2019, 2023 and 2024.
His criminal history includes convictions for driving under the influence of liquor and obstructing police.
“This tragedy was 100% preventable,” said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Our prayers are with Calli Toler and her family. DHS lodged a detainer requesting this criminal illegal alien not be released from jail and allowed on our roads again.”
According to jail records, Corona is being held in the Pitt County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond, with bond documents citing him as a flight risk.
The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office has indicated to news outlets that local authorities plan to keep him in custody or cooperate with ICE.
WCTI News 12 reported the crash occurred around 12:12 p.m. on July 3 when Corona failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2016 Chevrolet SUV west of Vanceboro, a rural community about 25 miles southeast of Greenville, N.C.
Corona, reportedly living in nearby Ayden, N.C., was driving on a revoked license and has a history of driving under the influence. Investigators did not say if they ordered a blood alcohol test or suspect he was impaired during the time of the crash.
The SUV was driven by 35-year-old Kelli Toler, who had her two children in the vehicle. Toler and her 4-year-old daughter were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, while Calli was pronounced dead at the scene, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.
The three were going out to get lunch before going to the pool—a day before Fourth of July—when the collision happened, according to family friends who set up an online fundraiser for the Toler family.
“In a single moment their lives changed forever,” organizer and friend Nicole Warren wrote. “Quentin and Kelli now face unimaginable heartbreak, painful injuries, funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income and a future forever changed.”
The girl’s death has shattered her family and stirred up political debate in North Carolina’s 1st congressional district, which ranks among the nation’s poorest districts by poverty rate, Fox News Digital reported.
The traffic fatality occurred west of Vanceboro near the district line. The formerly Democrat-leaning swing district has a seat up for grabs in what is predicted to be a tight race.
Republican candidate Laurie Buckhout of Edenton is seeking to oust incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis of Snow Hill.
The illegal immigration crisis has been “hitting home” in North Carolina, Buckhout told Fox News Digital, adding that “It has continued because, under the Biden administration with Don Davis’ oversight, you allowed so many illegals in the country.”
Two other illegal immigrants’ cases in the district have garnered national attention, including the arrest of Jose Valdez-Masias by ICE and Josue Cano-Landero on child fondling and strongarm rape charges in the Inner Banks.
Davis took to X to say he voted for the Laken Riley Act because “our immigration laws must be enforced.”
According to arrest warrants, Jaime Santiago Corona had been deported three times since 2019, was illegally in the United States, and was driving on a revoked license when Calli was killed.
I voted for the Laken Riley Act because our immigration laws must be enforced. North…
— Congressman Don Davis (@RepDonDavis) July 9, 2026
Buckhout told Fox News she supports higher pay for border agents and high-tech barriers and security measures at the Mexican border, so it’s not as easy for migrants like Corona to cross over and over again.
“We need to let them safely do their jobs with every technology available,” Buckhout said. “The safety of the American people depends upon it. You don’t have sovereignty without a border. I mean, that’s just the bottom line.”
