An illegal immigrant from El Salvador remains behind bars for a deadly wrong-way crash in Maryland that killed a mother and daughter and injured two other family members, police said.
The driver, Jose Antonio Caballero-Nolasco, 32, is suspected of driving drunk and causing the Aug. 29 crash on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Caballero-Nolasco now faces two counts of gross negligent manslaughter by vehicle, two counts of homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and life-threatening injury by a motor vehicle. He was denied bond during an initial hearing Aug. 31.
Investigators said Caballero-Nolasco’s vehicle was traveling the wrong way and crashed head-on into a vehicle with four occupants inside. The family was headed home to Burke, Virginia, at the time of the crash.
Caballero-Nolasco was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being transferred to the Montgomery County Detention Center. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also lodged a detainer Sept. 1 asking officials in Maryland to not release the suspect.
BREAKING: I'm told by four federal sources that a suspected DUI driver arrested for allegedly killing a mother and her daughter in a wrong way, head on crash on I-270 in Montgomery County, MD on Saturday is a Salvadoran illegal alien.
Fox is told that ICE has placed a detainer…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 4, 2026
Caballero-Nolasco illegally entered the United States at an unknown date and location, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.
“This tragedy was completely avoidable,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their family, and for a swift recovery for those who were injured.”
The wrong-way crash occurred 6:45 p.m. Aug. 29 on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County, Maryland, FOX 5 News reported.
A 46-year-old woman, Musammat Shamima Begum, and her daughter, 23-year-old Areebah Jahin, were from northern Virginia and died in the crash.
The husband and father of the women killed was driving at the time. His 8-year-old daughter was a passenger and survived the crash, but she was critically injured. They were treated at local hospitals.
Maryland State Police said the fatal crash happened about two minutes after another driver called 911 to report the driver going the wrong way on I-270.
Caballero Nolasco’s Ford Mustang was spotted going the wrong way on the interstate and struck the family’s Toyota Camry head-on. He was driving north in the southbound lanes.
Responding officers said Caballero Nolasco showed signs of impairment and later admitted he had been drinking alcohol, which led to his arrest for negligent manslaughter by vehicle.
According to police, Caballero Nolasco smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech after the crash. There were no signs that he attempted to stop or avoid the collision, investigators said.
“There were some beer bottles that he admitted that he had been drinking,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said per FOX 5. “There were other bottles that were empty and full bottles were found within the vehicle.”
Caballero-Nolasco was denied bond at an initial hearing, with a judge calling him a danger to the community, FOX 5 News reported. His attorneys told the judge he is from El Salvador and has been in the U.S. for 10 years with a clean criminal and traffic history.
In Tennessee, ICE lodged an immigration detainer for Alfonso Vasquez-Morales, who was charged in another DUI-related fatality that killed a 69-year-old motorcyclist in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
The Mexican national admitted to deputies on scene he consumed “six or seven beers” prior to driving, officials said.
Vasquez-Morales told ICE officers he illegally entered the United States through Arizona and has resided in the country for three years.
In addition to the vehicular homicide charge, Vasquez-Morales faces charges of reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine, driving without a license and several other offenses. More charges may be forthcoming, officials said.
Investigators said Vasquez-Morales crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a motorcycle head-on around 2 p.m. on July 7 in Jonesborough. The driver, William Richard Sauer, 69, of Brooksville, Florida, was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a news released witnesses reported Vasquez-Morales was weaving in and out of traffic before the crash.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is a 287(g) partner in the Warrant Service Officer model, which helps facilitate the transfer of custody from local agencies to ICE.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin’s leadership, ICE is carrying out its mandate to remove illegal alien criminals and restore law and order to our immigration system,” ICE officials said.
Report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
