Avoyelles Parish, LA — A Mexican national is facing multiple charges — including vehicular homicide — after allegedly slamming into a 59-year-old man who was mowing his lawn, in what authorities call a drunken crash that should never have happened.
Victim Mowed Down While Tending His Lawn
On the evening of August 3, Rickey Maddox, 59, was riding his Kubota lawn mower along the shoulder of Louisiana Highway 1 when a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Roberto Romero-Hernandez, veered off the roadway and struck him from behind, according to the Louisiana State Police.
Maddox was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead.
“This criminal illegal alien’s reckless decision to drink and drive killed an innocent man,” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement to New York Post.
“The senseless tragedy should have never happened because Romero-Hernandez should have never been in our country… Every death caused by an illegal alien is preventable.”
ICE Acts Swiftly to Block Suspect’s Release
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a federal detainer for Romero-Hernandez, 34, ensuring that he remains in custody following his arrest and booking at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center.
Officials said Romero-Hernandez was found to be:
- Driving under the influence (DWI)
- Operating without a license
- Driving with expired plates
- Recklessly swerving off-road
Despite walking away from the crash uninjured, he now faces charges of vehicular homicide, careless operation, DWI, and multiple traffic violations.
Federal Officials: “He Shouldn’t Have Been Here”
The Department of Homeland Security said they moved quickly to prevent his release pending local court proceedings. Authorities have yet to determine how or when Romero-Hernandez entered the U.S., but confirmed he is an undocumented immigrant with no legal status or license.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to make sure he doesn’t walk free,” said a DHS official.
As of now, jail records confirm Romero-Hernandez is still in custody. ICE intends to take over custody once local charges are addressed.
Growing National Debate Over Immigration and Crime
The fatal crash adds fuel to a growing national debate over undocumented immigration and its link to public safety risks. Federal officials called Maddox’s death “a preventable tragedy” and pointed to the larger issue of illegal entry and repeat DUI offenses among non-citizens.
Authorities have not yet scheduled a court date, and no bond has been posted.
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