Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer against Felipe Alvarado Hernandez, a 47-year-old repeat-offender undocumented immigrant accused of driving a pickup truck onto a downtown Nashville sidewalk and striking four pedestrians, according to Fox News Digital. The incident occurred on June 13 as the vehicle attempted a left turn.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) New Orleans issued the detainer following the local criminal charges filed against Hernandez, according to a Department of Homeland Security official cited by Fox News Digital. The collision injured four people in total, requiring two victims to use wheelchairs for mobility while another remained hospitalized in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Burn Unit as of July 29.
Police records show Hernandez was eventually arrested on July 28, more than a month after the downtown crash, after investigators utilized license plate reader technology to identify the pickup truck involved in the collision, as reported by Fox News Digital. Local authorities charged him with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to give information or render aid, failure to file a report of an accident with injury or damage, financial responsibility violation with injury, and driving with a revoked license.
Immigration History and Prior Enforcement Actions
According to Department of Homeland Security records reported by Fox News Digital, Hernandez entered the United States at an unknown date and location. His prior interactions with law enforcement include an arrest by Michigan’s Roseville Police Department on a retail fraud charge that was ultimately dropped.
Following that arrest, police referred Hernandez to federal immigration authorities. DHS records indicate that he agreed to leave the country on January 5, 2004, according to Fox News Digital.
Federal Response and Enforcement Priorities
Acting Field Office Director Scott Ladwig of ERO New Orleans addressed the case in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“When illegal aliens break our laws and endanger our communities, ICE will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure they face the consequences of their actions,” Ladwig said, as quoted by Fox News Digital. “Our officers remain committed to enforcing the law professionally, protecting the public, and upholding the trust placed in us by the American people.”
Next Legal Proceedings in Tennessee
Hernandez remains held under local jurisdiction as the criminal case proceeds through the Tennessee court system. Once local criminal proceedings conclude, federal immigration officials are expected to seek custody pursuant to the active ICE detainer.
Readers with information regarding local court schedules or official public safety updates are encouraged to consult the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office or monitor announcements from the Metro Nashville Police Department.
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