Guatemalan Man Charged After Fatal San Diego Crash Kills 8-Year-Old
Fatal Collision in San Diego Leads to Multiple Charges
On a recent Thursday in San Diego, California, authorities arrested 25-year-old Brayan Alva-Rodriguez following a vehicle collision that killed an 8-year-old girl and injured several other people. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department took Alva-Rodriguez into custody and later charged him with murder in the first degree, two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, and driving under the influence causing bodily injury.
Details of the Crash
According to the California Highway Patrol, Alva-Rodriguez was allegedly driving a Toyota Tacoma when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Toyota Camry in San Diego. After that impact, the agency reports that his vehicle then struck another vehicle in front of him, causing the Toyota Tacoma to flip over and burst into flames.
Authorities state that the crash resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl and injuries to several others. In total, seven people were believed to have been injured in the incident. Alva-Rodriguez and a passenger traveling with him at the time of the collision were among those injured, and both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Law Enforcement and Detention
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Alva-Rodriguez was arrested on Thursday in connection with the crash. Following his arrest, he was booked into San Diego Central Jail. Officials set his bond at $2 million. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 7.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Alva-Rodriguez, a Guatemalan national, has two prior convictions for driving under the influence from 2020 and 2021. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an arrest detainer against him, indicating that he could face deportation after the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.
Statements From Federal and State Officials
In a statement about the incident, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin referred to Alva-Rodriguez as a serial drunk driver and said that he should not have been allowed back onto California roads. She also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has filed an arrest detainer and called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to honor the detainer.
Officials noted that under California’s sanctuary law, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is prohibited from coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport individuals in similar circumstances. However, the office of Governor Gavin Newsom stated that nothing in state law prohibits the federal government from carrying out its responsibilities in this case.
Separate San Diego Case Involving Mexican National
Authorities reported that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office recently denied an arrest detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for a Mexican national, identified as Balderas-Aheelor, who is accused of killing an 11-year-old boy, Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz, in a hit-and-run incident. Officials allege that Balderas-Aheelor ran over the boy while he was playing football outside his home. The Mexican national is being held on $300,000 bail and has been deported from the United States on four separate occasions.