Thread: Illegal alien kills three and himself in crash

http://www.post-trib.com/news/926353...AL0501.article

May 1, 2008

By Andy Grimm, Post-Tribune staff writer

MERRILLVILLE — Friends and family mourned the death of a prominent attorney, a young couple soon to be married and a Mexican immigrant who had long struggled with a drinking problem — all four of them killed in three-car collision Wednesday near the border of Merrillville and Winfield.

As Hough and Weiss pulled into the intersection of Randolph and 101st Avenue, Mario Cadena sped west, past a stop sign and into Hough’s Ford Explorer, driving the truck into Weiss’ Mustang. No one emerged alive from the twisted wreckage.

Amy Bartelmey (left) and Stephen Hough were among the four people killed in an accident Tuesday night at 101st Avenue and Randolph Street in Merrillville.

Merrillville police declined comment on the crash but said high speed was a factor. The Lake County coroner will not have results of blood toxicology reports for several days. Police sources say they believe Cadena had been drinking, and a beer bottle was on the front seat of his ruined Jeep Cherokee at the police impound yard.

Hough was due to graduate from Purdue University Calumet in two weeks with a degree in public relations, and had picked out an engagement ring for Bartelmey, his girlfriend of more than a year. Bartelmey, who had a 2-year-old son from a previous relationship, was a hair stylist and hoped to work at a high-end salon.

“(Hough) could have done anything he wanted, he was that kind of guy,â€

The guy kills 3 people and they make him sound like a saint.

Cadena, 30, had lived in the U.S. for 12 years and had no driver’s license.

His work visa had long ago expired, but he continued to live and work in and around Crown Point, often holding down several jobs at once so he could send money to his family in Mexico, said Kim Rodriguez, who had dated Cadena for several years.

Cadena, a Mexican immigrant, came to the U.S. legally 12 years ago and stayed after his work visa expired. Cadena will likely be buried in Mexico.

Gail Montenegro, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency, said she was unaware of Cadena's immigration status. She said local law enforcement officials hadn't contacted her agency is willing to help.

And note the sympathetic portrayal of this likely intoxicated illegal alien:

"and a Mexican immigrant who had long struggled with a drinking problem"