A junior on the College of South Carolina was killed Wednesday in a hit-and-run close to campus involving an unlawful immigrant from El Salvador, in line with Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) officers.
In an X put up Thursday, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, stated the driving force was “in our nation illegally,” noting 21-year-old Nathanial “Nate” G. Baker “must be alive at present.”
“@DHSgov prays for Nate’s household, pals, and family members and can work every single day to guard harmless Individuals like Nate,” McLaughlin wrote.
Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, 24, is charged with hit-and-run leading to demise, failure to provide data and render help, failure to yield the proper of manner and driving and not using a license, in line with an announcement from the Columbia Police Division (CPD).
On the time of the crash, Fernandez-Cruz was needed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), police stated.
A DHS supply advised Fox Information Fernandez-Cruz was arrested by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas, on Dec. 24, 2016.
Almost two years later, on Sept. 6, 2018, an immigration choose in Charlotte, North Carolina, ordered Fernandez-Cruz to be despatched again to El Salvador.
Simply after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Fernandez-Cruz allegedly did not yield the proper of manner whereas turning left at Blossom and Meeting streets, hitting Baker, who was on a bike, along with his truck, in line with police.
Baker was taken to a hospital and pronounced useless, in line with the Richland County Coroner’s Workplace.
Fernandez-Cruz is accused of not stopping or rendering help to Baker or reporting the incident to police, in line with the assertion.
He reportedly drove away from the accident website and ran from the automobile.
A close-by CPD officer discovered and detained Fernandez-Cruz on the 1100 block of Greene Road.
Two males have been with Fernandez-Cruz on the time of the accident and in addition fled, in line with police.
No fees are pending in opposition to them.
The immigration standing of the opposite males is unknown.
The college confirmed in an announcement that Baker was a enterprise main from Glen Allen, Virginia.
“Our prayers and deepest sympathies exit to Nate’s household and pals throughout this tough time,” in line with college officers.
“Counseling employees are actively working with these impacted, and companies can be found to any member of our campus neighborhood affected by this tragedy.”
Phi Gamma Delta confirmed in an Instagram put up Baker was a member of its fraternity.
“Yesterday, we misplaced not only a brother, however a pacesetter, a task mannequin, and a real embodiment of what our fraternity stands for,” the fraternity wrote within the put up.
“Nate Baker introduced mild, laughter, and love into all of our lives. Nate will all the time be remembered for the way in which he confirmed up for others and the impression he had on everybody round him.”
“His ardour, loyalty, and love for this brotherhood won’t ever be forgotten. Might we honor his reminiscence by dwelling with the identical kindness, selflessness and generosity that he confirmed to everybody round him. Relaxation in Peace Nathaniel Baker.”
The College of South Carolina Faculty Panhellenic Affiliation referred to as the scenario a tragedy in an announcement on Instagram.
“Our ideas, prayers and hearts are with Nate’s household, pals, family members and our total Greek neighborhood throughout this time,” the assertion stated.
“Nate’s impression will proceed to reside on all through the USC neighborhood, and can by no means be forgotten. We encourage our FSL neighborhood to face collectively, love one another, and supply unconditional help to the brothers of Fiji following this tragedy.”
Fernandez-Cruz is being held on the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Heart in Columbia, in line with CPD.
The Columbia Police Division, ICE, DHS and Phi Gamma Delta didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
