Thread: MA: Boy, 12, Hit In Crosswalk by Illegal Alien

Boy, 12, Hit In Crosswalk

A 12-year-old boy was in stable condition Wednesday morning, recovering after being hit and dragged by a van in Lynnfield.

The driver of that van is an illegal immigrant and doesn't have a license.

Antonio Montenegro, 52, said he had no idea he hit the child.

Montengro is originally from Costa Rica. By his own admission, he's been living, working, and driving illegally in the U.S. for eight years.

The van is registered to the painting company he owns.

A loophole in state law allows someone who doesn't have a license to register and insure a vehicle.

The child is being treated for leg and head injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Montenegro is charged with operating a vehicle without a license and failing to stop at a crosswalk.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wcvb/20070926/lo_wcvb/14206624

I just heard this on the local news. They of course let the illegal go.

On the news, they said he owns his own painting company. I thought everything in Mass was regulated-how did he get this business? Didn't he have to file some paperwork?

Also, he actually applied for a driver's license but was denied because he was here illegally. How come DMV did not turn him in? I know-it is Mass.

Finally, I thought the argument was that if we give illegals driver's licences our streets would be safer. Does anyone actually believe that he would have driven more safely and not hit this boy if he had a driver's license?

E. D. Hill reported on this on Fox News this morning.
That boy is lucky to be alive and they let this guy go. We all need to be asking why ICE was not called. Whether we live in MA or not.
There is no excuse for this and no excuse is good enough!

So can we frame a new motto for Massachusetts - 'The hit-and-run' state?

I made a call to the Lynnfield police dept and spoke to the "chief".

He said this guy had a visa and that it didn't expire until 2009.

There are some laws in that state that need to be changed!

Originally Posted by Nicole

Finally, I thought the argument was that if we give illegals driver's licences our streets would be safer. Does anyone actually believe that he would have driven more safely and not hit this boy if he had a driver's license?

Does anyone actually believe that someone's immigration status affects their ability to operate a motor vehicle? Lynnfield police have thus far followed the letter of the law.

Montenegro violated Chapter 89: Section 11 and
Chapter 90: Section 10 of Massachusetts General Laws. He's being charged on those violations.

Interestingly the penalty for hitting someone in a cross walk is at most a $200 fine.

Originally Posted by spiral

Originally Posted by Nicole

Finally, I thought the argument was that if we give illegals driver's licences our streets would be safer. Does anyone actually believe that he would have driven more safely and not hit this boy if he had a driver's license?

Does anyone actually believe that someone's immigration status affects their ability to operate a motor vehicle? Lynnfield police have thus far followed the letter of the law.

Montenegro violated Chapter 89: Section 11 and
Chapter 90: Section 10 of Massachusetts General Laws. He's being charged on those violations.

Interestingly the penalty for hitting someone in a cross walk is at most a $200 fine.

I do believe that there are some with a not so desireable immigration status that should not be operating a motor vehicle.

Common sense also alien to Lynnfield

By Michael Graham | Thursday, September 27, 2007 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Op-Ed
By his own admission, Antonio Montenegro is an illegal immigrant.

He’s also an unlicensed driver. And he’s the guy who sent a 12-year-old Lynnfield boy to Mass General with a broken leg after running him over with his cargo van and dragging him down the street.

The one thing that Antonio Montenegro isn’t? A criminal. At least, not in Lynnfield.

Media reports that Montenegro was “released on his own recognizanceâ€