A Georgia teacher killed in a crash near her school has been identified as Linda Davis, a special education educator in Savannah, after a man allegedly fleeing immigration agents ran a red light and collided with her vehicle.
The incident occurred Monday morning as Davis was commuting to Herman W. Hesse K-8 School during a staff planning day.
Driver fleeing ICE before crash
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents attempted a traffic stop on Oscar Vasquez-Lopez, a 38-year-old Guatemalan national, during an enforcement operation.
ICE said Vasquez-Lopez initially complied but then fled, making a reckless U-turn and running a red light before crashing into Davis’ vehicle a short distance from the school.
Chatham County Police arrested Vasquez-Lopez and charged him with first-degree homicide, reckless driving, driving without a valid license and failure to obey a traffic control device.
Authorities said Davis was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. ICE reported that Vasquez-Lopez sustained minor injuries. A third vehicle was involved in the crash, but no injuries were reported from that car.
Local police confirmed they were not involved in the federal immigration operation and were unaware of it until after the collision.
Immigration status and detention
ICE stated that Vasquez-Lopez entered the United States illegally on an unknown date and location and had received a final order of removal from a federal judge in 2024.
He is currently being held at the Chatham County Jail under an immigration detainer, which allows authorities to notify ICE prior to release and potentially hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release.
It remains unclear whether Vasquez-Lopez has legal representation or whether he will face deportation proceedings.
The case has drawn political attention, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describing Davis as “an innocent American” who lost her life after a suspect attempted to evade arrest.
Remembering an ‘exceptional educator’
Colleagues described Davis as a dedicated and compassionate teacher.
Principal Alonna McMullen said Davis “dedicated her career to ensuring that every child felt supported, valued, and capable of success.”
Davis had been part of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System since 2022 and began teaching special education at Hesse K-8 School this year.
Former colleague Aisha Buchanan said Davis “always made you feel like you mattered,” adding that her message of inclusion extended to students and staff alike.
In a message to parents, McMullen encouraged open expression of emotions within the school community and described Davis as “a source of encouragement and positivity among her peers.”
Source: CNN
Also read: “Golden Passports” case: Rulings, witness assessments, and evidence gaps
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