Thread: NC: Illegal Alien Apprehended After Fatal Wreck

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1223744/

Suspected Driver Apprehended After Fatal Wreck

Tellez Diaz

Posted: Today at 12:22 p.m.

Updated: 39 minutes ago
Angier — A Johnston County man sought in connection with a fatal accident Sunday night was apprehended at his home Monday evening, authorities said.

Tellez Diaz, 31, is considered a person of interest in the wreck, which killed the driver and passenger in a tractor-trailer, authortiies said.

The two victims were burned beyond recognition in the fiery crash, and authorities hadn't identified them by Monday evening.

A Ford Contour ran a stop sign at N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road and broadsided a tractor-trailer at about 7 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. The truck then veered off the road, overturned and caught fire.
Some nearby residents said they thought the truck driver swerved to avoid direct impact.

"In this case, it seems that he sacrificed his own life to try to save somebody in that car that he didn't even know," said Shaw Fish, who lives near the crash scene.
One person in the Ford Contour fled the scene on foot. A woman and a the man who owned the car remained at the scene and told authorities what happened.
The two people, who claimed they were passengers, suffered minor injuries but weren't taken to a hospital, authorities said.
Diaz was apprehended near his home by state troopers and was taken to a Johnston County magistrate's office. It was unclear Monday evening what charges he might face.
He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said.
"At this time, no one has been ruled out (as the driver of the car). We're still investigating," Trooper Derrock Mobley said.
Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in the wreck.
Ronnie Fish called 911 after heaing the crash outside his house. He said other collisions have occurred at the intersection, but they weren't nearly as bad as the one Sunday night.
"A neighbor heard it, and he came out here with his fire extinguisher and he did what he could. But it wasn't much help for the people in the truck," Fish said.
A state Department of Transportation crew replaced the intersection's stop sign Monday morning. The old one was covered with black spray paint, but troopers said they don't believe that contributed to the accident.
"One of the passengers made the comment that they started slowing down for the stop sign and the guy was, like, 'I think I can make it,' and he pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer," Mobley said.
Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
Copyright 2007 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Here is an update. The article doesn't mention his immigration status.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1223744/

Man Charged With Death-by-Vehicle in Johnston Crash


Posted: Today at 12:22 p.m.
Updated: 46 minutes ago

Angier — A Johnston County man sought in connection with a fatal accident Sunday night was apprehended at his home Monday evening and ordered held on $2 million bond, authorities said, and they said they believed he had used an alias.

Luciano Tellez, 31, of Angier was charged with driving withs suspended license at the time of the wreck, which killed the driver and passenger in a tractor-trailer, state troopers said. He also was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle, felony hit-and-run and running a stop sign, the highway patrol reported.

Troopers said they thought that Tellez Diaz, the name they had bveen given for the driver of the car, was an alias that tellez used. Tellez also was wanted on warrants for probation violation, troopers said

The two victims were burned beyond recognition in the fiery crash, and authorities hadn't identified them by Monday night.

A Ford Contour ran a stop sign at N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road and broadsided a tractor-trailer cab at about 7 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. The truck then veered off the road, overturned and caught fire.

Some nearby residents said they thought the truck driver swerved in an effort to avoid direct impact.

"In this case, it seems that he sacrificed his own life to try to save somebody in that car that he didn't even know," said Shaw Fish, who lives near the crash scene.

One person in the Ford Contour fled the scene on foot. A woman and the man who owned the car remained at the scene and told authorities what happened.

The two people, who claimed they were passengers, suffered minor injuries but weren't taken to a hospital, authorities said.

Troopers apprehended Tellez near his home and took him to a Johnston County magistrate's office.

He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said.

Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in the wreck.

Ronnie Fish called 911 after heaing the crash outside his house. He said other collisions have occurred at the intersection, but they weren't nearly as bad as the one Sunday night.

"A neighbor heard it, and he came out here with his fire extinguisher and he did what he could. But it wasn't much help for the people in the truck," Fish said.

A state Department of Transportation crew replaced the intersection's stop sign Monday morning. The old one was covered with black spray paint, but troopers said they did not believe that contributed to the accident.

"One of the passengers made the comment that they started slowing down for the stop sign and the guy was, like, 'I think I can make it,' and he pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer," Trooper Derrock Mobley said.

'I think I can make it,'

Too bad this POS made it. He should have been the one burned beyond recognition.

According to comments on the story, this was a father and 9 year-old son murdered by this drunk driving illegal alien. He was able to run away but wasn't able to pull these two people from the truck before it caught fire.

He was caught Monday when someone reported seeing him packing up a vehicle.

Confirmed

Illegal Immigrant Charged With Manslaughter in Fatal Hit-and-Run


Posted: Today at 10:43 a.m.
Updated: Today at 6:39 p.m.

Smithfield — The driver of a car that slammed into a tractor-trailer Sunday night, killing two people, was charged Tuesday morning with involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.

Luciano Tellez, 31, of Angier, who is also known as Tellez Diaz, was charged Monday night with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle, felony hit-and-run, running a stop sign and driving with a suspended license.

Federal authorities have determined that Diaz was in the U.S. illegally and have placed a detainer on him in case he makes his $2 million bond and is released from the Johnston County Detention Center. Authorities said they would let the legal system run its course before determining whether to deport him.

The state Highway Patrol is still trying to sort out the details involving the fatal wreck, which occurred at the intersection of N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road near Angier.

Authorities said Tellez ran a stop sign at the intersection and rammed into a tractor-trailer. The rig veered off the road, overturned and caught fire, killing the driver and a passenger, authorities said.

Tellez fled the scene on foot. Two passengers in the car remained at the scene and told authorities what happened.

Authorities identified the two victims of the wreck as Jerry "Dwayne" Braswell, 35, of 3833 Manor Drive in Clayton, and his 9-year-old son, Jerry Braswell Jr.

The boy was a third-grader at Cleveland Elementary School, and school officials had counselors on campus Tuesday to talk with other students.

"He always had a smile on his face and a funny story to tell," Principal Linda Edmundson said. "Jerry will truly be missed."

A family friend said Braswell and his son were heading home Sunday evening when the wreck occurred. The father often took his son and his 12-year-old daughter along when he dropped off equipment and picked up his paycheck on Sundays, the friend said.

Braswell's daughter was home sick Sunday night, the friend said.

Authorities also found that Tellez was wanted for violating the terms of his probation. He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said. Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in Sunday's wreck.

Raleigh police weren't required to inform immigration officials of Tellez' prior arrest because he was charged only with a misdemeanor and had a valid driver's license, said Jim Sughrue, spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department.

Braswell is survived by his wife and a 12-year-old daughter. A visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. Thursday at Raleigh First Church of the Nazarene on U.S. Highway 70 in Garner, followed immediately by funeral services.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1224756/

Sickening...infuriateing and incredibly sad! This once again brings home how MUCH this needs to be stopped NOW before more innocent Americans die or are injured by these people who are NOT supposed to be here in the first place!!!!

Authorities also found that Tellez was wanted for violating the terms of his probation. He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said. Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in Sunday's wreck.

Raleigh police weren't required to inform immigration officials of Tellez' prior arrest because he was charged only with a misdemeanor and had a valid driver's license, said Jim Sughrue, spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department.

Here's two key comments in the story that really bothers me:

Authorities also found that Tellez was wanted for violating the terms of his probation.

A criminal alien should NEVER be serving probation in this country! All probation does is give them legal authorization to remain in the United States.

Raleigh police weren't required to inform immigration officials of Tellez' prior arrest because he was charged only with a misdemeanor and had a valid driver's license

They may have not been "required" to report him to immigration officials but they certainly had a moral obligation too! Furthermore, am I to assume the "valid driver's license" was issued in North Carolina?

Originally Posted by MW

They may have not been "required" to report him to immigration officials but they certainly had a moral obligation too! Furthermore, am I to assume the "valid driver's license" was issued in North Carolina?

MW, contact the NC legislature. Demand (yes we can demand as well) they pass some kind of law requiring any law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of ALL who receive DWI tickets.

Fatal DWI Involves Illegal Immigrant
By Greg Barnes
(03/07/07 --CLAYTON) - Police believe a repeat DWI offender and illegal immigrant cause a fiery fatal crash in Johnston County, but the wreck has some questioning why he was allowed back on the streets.

A family member of the victims wants people to remember a father and his son. The crash is highlighting a touchy debate about illegal immigrants, the jails and what local law enforcement should be doing about it.

Dwane Braswell, 35, and his 9-year-old son, Jerry, of Clayton were in a big rig Sunday when a car ran a stop sign and darted out in front of them. Braswell swerved to avoid it, but his cab rolled over and burst into flames, killing the father and son.

The other driver, Luciano Telles, fled but is now in the Johnston County Jail. He had prior DUIs in Wake County and is an illegal immigrant.

"An individual in the country illegally and driving without a license," said Rudy Baker, family member.

Even though Telles is an illegal immigrant, his entry from jail is nothing new. Other illegal immigrants have been involved in fatal DWIs, and they were offered bail in N.C. without being deported.

One lawmaker wants to make sure all county jails are screening inmates for their immigration status, a job that is usually the responsibility of the federal government.

"We need to have a way to identify a person in jail if he's legal or not, that's just obvious," said Harris Blake of Pinehurst.

Alamance County will soon screen jail inmates for illegal residency but immigration advocates say it will lead to abuse.

"Justice is supposed to be equal for everyone," said Tony Asion, El Pueblo. "This isn't equal justice. Everyone doesn't have to go through this process."

Meanwhile, the family of a father and son want people to simply remember those who are gone.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?secti ... id=5101540

Scary to think this is what we have to look forward to if they pass this amnesty, imagine what it will be like when they let simi's from Mexico on our highways, now theres a thought huh!!

"Justice is supposed to be equal for everyone," said Tony Asion, El Pueblo. "This isn't equal justice. Everyone doesn't have to go through this process."

If they check everyone Tony, just how is this not equal justice?

Looks like El Pueblo could have come up with a better line here.