DUI Suspect Being Investigated By Immigration, Customs
Arturo Rodriguez Martinez Charged In Fatal Crash
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By Daniel Kemp/WLKY News
July 25, 2011

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. -- A man accused of crashing his SUV while drunk on Interstate 65, killing his 2-year-old daughter, is being investigated by immigration and customs.

Monday marked the first court appearance for 26-year-old Arturo Rodriguez Martinez.

Martinez is being held on a $500,000 cash bond, but a judge said even he was able to post that bond, he won't be getting out of jail.

Martinez doesn't speak English, so during his court appearance he was joined by a Spanish-speaking interpreter who is also an inmate in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Kentucky State Police said on Friday, Martinez lost control of his SUV near the Glendale Exit on I-65, crossed the median and flipped.

His daughter, Sidolena Martinez, was thrown from the vehicle and killed.

Police said Martinez was drunk and his daughter wasn't restrained.

WLKY has obtained a detainer notice for Martinez from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

It reads, in part, that an investigation has been initiated to determine whether Martinez, who is Mexican, is subject to removal from the United States.

But state police say if that happened, it would follow all criminal proceedings in Hardin County.

Meanwhile, the investigation now under way does keep Martinez from bonding out of jail if he was able to post his $500,000 bond.

Along with murder, Martinez is charged with drunken driving, driving without a license, failing to maintain insurance and failing to use a child safety seat.

He's due back in court next month.

Funeral arrangements for Sidolena Martinez are pending.

Read more: http://www.wlky.com/news/28657505/detai ... z1TE9RKa92