(The Center Square) – A woman accused of driving the wrong direction on a highway while impaired and killing two teens in Dane County now is subject to an arrest detainer from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila, who DHS identified as “a criminal illegal alien from Honduras,” is charged with felony vehicular homicide, impaired driving, operating while intoxicated causing injury, knowingly operating with a revoked license and more.
Martiney-Avila is accused of killing 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson and 19-year-old Brady Heiling in the July 25 crash. DHS said that Dane County has not historically honored U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers due to sanctuary policies.
“Hallie Helgeson and Brady Heiling had their whole lives ahead of them – and they would still be alive today if it weren’t for Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila – a criminal illegal alien from Honduras. Martinez-Avila recklessly drove the wrong way on a highway while intoxicated and killed these two teens,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “ICE has lodged an arrest detainer to remove this public safety threat from the U.S.
“Unfortunately, this sanctuary jurisdiction has a history of not honoring ICE arrest detainers often leading to the release of murderers and other heinous criminals. Under Secretary Noem, these precious victims will not be forgotten, and we will fight for justice.”
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via email that he was concerned ICE would attempt to deport Martinez-Avila before trial.
“Deporting someone before they face trial allows them to evade that accountability — it’s essentially a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” Barrett wrote to the paper.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-7th Congressional, said that the case shows the danger of sanctuary policies.
“Sheriff Barrett called me a LIAR when I warned Dane County’s sanctuary policies put lives at risk,” Tiffany wrote on social media. “Now, two teens are dead after a repeat illegal alien offender was allowed to remain in the community. How many more Americans have to die before Democrats end this lawlessness?”
Wisconsin Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee responded to Tiffany about drunk driving laws.
“Do you know how many people are killed by US Citizens who drive drunk every year?” Larson wrote. “How many drunk driving laws have you coauthored during your time in public office?”
