Thread: Motorist faces trial in deadly collision

http://www.dailynews.com/antelopevalley/ci_4779647

Article Last Updated:12/04/2006 08:47:30 PM PST

Motorist faces trial in deadly collision
BY KAREN MAESHIRO, Staff Writer

LANCASTER - A motorist described by prosecutors as an unlicensed, uninsured, undocumented immigrant was ordered Monday to stand trial on charges that he caused the death of another driver in a traffic crash and tried to walk away afterward.

Wilfredo Briswela, 22, of Rosamond is charged with felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in the death of 20-year-old Tyler Lundin of Palmdale, whose death has become a rallying point for local residents opposed to illegal immigration.

"It's a tragedy what happened. There's no winner no matter which way you look at it. We are hoping to come to some resolution if possible," said Briswela's attorney, Tyson Beers.

Misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter is punishable by up to a year in jail, and felony hit-and-run is punishable by up to four years in prison.

Briswela remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Lundin died four days after the Oct. 22 crash at 10th Street West and Avenue O, where his pickup truck collided with a car that turned left in front of it.

The car's two occupants tried to walk away after the crash, but they were caught and detained by several people who witnessed the crash, sheriff's deputies said.

The intersection on Nov. 25 was the site of a protest that drew more than 50 people carrying American flags and signs that read "Stop illegal immigration."

Immigrants convicted of serious crimes are deported under federal law after they serve their prison terms, but sheriff's officials said they do not routinely check the citizenship status of people arrested for misdemeanors.

I can see why police don't always check immigration status. An officer only finds out if they run the person in federal system and they are wanted by ICE or have been deported it will show up and then ICE is usually notifed. Another way police find out if a person is illegal is if they tell them. In most cases officers just don't ask unless something almost screams illegal at them. It is not that the police don't care but it is the lack of time they have on a call due to all the urgent calls they need to respond to such as medical emergencies, car accidents, fights, domestic violence calls, strong armed robberies and burglary in progress calls. Often there are calls holding and the callers get irate waiting for the police to arrive. There are not enough police officers in many departments across the country.

Murder of a young man. Driving illegally.