
An illegal alien driving under the influence caused a fatal crash in Albuquerque, New Mexico, early Monday morning. The driver, 21-year-old Jesus Sandoval-Martinez, ran a red light in his black 2008 Dodge pickup, striking two cars and killing one of the drivers.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight when Sandoval-Martinez collided with a Tesla and a Corolla. The driver of the Corolla, 22-year-old Tiger Gutierrez, was critically injured and later died at the hospital. The other driver, Mia Montoya, was also critically injured, while a third person involved in the accident sustained minor injuries.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Sandoval-Martinez was slurring his speech and appeared intoxicated. Police found open alcohol containers in his vehicle and noted that he failed sobriety tests. Sandoval-Martinez, who had no driver’s license, attempted to flee but was stopped by witnesses until police arrived. At the hospital, he claimed to have had only two beers that night.
Sandoval-Martinez faces multiple charges, including two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in great bodily harm or death. ICE has confirmed his illegal status and issued an immigration detainer. He had no prior encounters with immigration enforcement and is from Mexico.
The victims, both volleyball coaches, were mourned by the E3 Volleyball program on Instagram. This incident brings to light the broader issue of illegal alien crime, a major topic in the 2024 presidential race. Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have blamed President Joe Biden’s lax border policies for the rise in illegal crossings and related crimes. Polls show that a significant majority of Americans see illegal alien crime as a key issue in the upcoming election, with many attributing the problem to Democratic policies on border control.