[October 8, 2007, 2:14 pm]

"Police: Man Responsible For Fatal Crash Illegal Immigrant"
The man police believe is responsible for the fatal car crash on Interstate 440 over the weekend is believed to have entered the country illegally.

An immigration hold has been placed on Lorenzo Hernandez Santiz, 21, following his arrest Sunday for vehicular homicide.

Santiz, who also goes by the name Jorge Hernandez, is suspected of speeding and being under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his car just after 2 a.m. Sunday on the ramp from I-440 West to Interstate 40.

The car ran off the roadway, collided with a utility pole and rolled several times before coming to a final rest.

The passenger in the car, 27-year-old Nicolas Hernandez, died at the scene.

Santiz, who alleged to have illegally entered the United States from Mexico, admitted to drinking four beers prior to the crash.

He is being held without bond.

Police said Santiz was arrested in 2006 on a variety of charges

www.wkrn.com