Authorities have revealed that the man responsible for a fatal semi-truck crash on a Colorado highway is an illegal immigrant with a history of being removed from the United States. Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, a 47-year-old from Mexico, is facing charges of reckless driving and homicide following the accident on June 11.
The crash occurred on Hwy 285 near Conifer when Mendoza lost control of the semi-truck he was driving, causing it to roll onto its side and spill its cargo of pipe and angle iron onto five other vehicles. Tragically, one person was killed, and another was seriously injured in the incident. Despite the severity of the crash, Mendoza himself escaped unharmed.
Following his arrest, Mendoza was taken into custody and booked at the Jefferson County Jail. It was disclosed that he does not have a local address, raising questions about his immigration status. According to an ICE spokesperson, Cruz-Mendoza has a lengthy history of being removed to Mexico, dating back over 20 years.
In 2002, ICE first encountered Cruz-Mendoza when he was arrested on local charges in Jefferson County, Oregon. Subsequently, an immigration judge ordered his removal to Mexico on May 29, 2002. Since then, he has been deported or voluntarily returned to Mexico a total of 16 times. In light of his recent arrest, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver has collaborated with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and issued a detainer to be notified if Cruz-Mendoza is released.
The aftermath of the crash resulted in the closure of the highway in both directions for more than 12 hours as authorities worked to clear the wreckage. Aerial footage of the scene near Conifer, Colorado, depicted the extent of the damage caused by the crash. Online court records indicate that Cruz-Mendoza remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for July 30.
The tragic incident involving an illegal immigrant behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle highlights the importance of immigration enforcement and public safety measures. The case of Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of allowing individuals with a history of removal to remain in the country unlawfully. It underscores the need for effective immigration policies to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.