U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested that North Carolina authorities keep an illegal immigrant, Javiel Pena Sola, in custody following a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The incident occurred on July 18 in Salisbury, where Sola allegedly struck a vehicle and fled the scene. He was later located with the assistance of a police K-9.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third was transported to a hospital and later died. Sola's vehicle was subsequently discovered in a creek, and he faces three counts of hit-and-run involving serious injury or death. ICE has lodged a detainer with local authorities to ensure his continued custody.
Lauren Bis, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated that Sola had a prior arrest in 2016 but was released. She noted that he entered the United States through Arizona in April 2022. Sola's criminal record includes convictions for reckless endangerment and driving without a license, among other offenses. After a previous arrest in Maryland, he was turned over to federal agents but was released two months later under the Obama administration.