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Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of University Student

News Summary

A University of South Carolina junior, Nathanial Baker, was killed in a hit-and-run accident near the campus. The alleged driver, a 24-year-old undocumented immigrant, failed to yield and fled the scene before being apprehended. As investigations unfold, the incident highlights concerns over immigration policies, especially as the driver had previous immigration issues. The university mourns the loss of Baker, who was a respected member of the community, while implications of this tragic event continue to spark discussions on public safety.

South Carolina—Nathanial “Nate” G. Baker, a junior at the University of South Carolina, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident on Wednesday, just after 2 p.m. The crash occurred near the campus when Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, a 24-year-old undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, allegedly failed to yield while making a left turn, striking Baker on his motorcycle.

Following the collision, Fernandez-Cruz did not stop to provide aid and fled the scene. She was apprehended shortly thereafter by a Columbia Police Department officer on Greene Street. The Richland County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Baker’s death at a hospital. Fernandez-Cruz has been charged with hit-and-run resulting in death, failure to give information and render aid, failure to yield the right of way, and driving without a license.

The incident raises significant concerns as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials revealed that Fernandez-Cruz was in the United States illegally. An assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS stated that Baker “should be alive today.” At the time of the accident, Fernandez-Cruz was wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and had previously been apprehended by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas, on December 24, 2016. An immigration judge had ordered her to return to El Salvador on September 6, 2018.

Baker, who was pursuing a degree in business, hailed from Glen Allen, Virginia. His unexpected death has deeply affected the University of South Carolina community. The university expressed its condolences and has made counseling services available to students coping with the tragic news. Additionally, the FIJI fraternity, of which Baker was a member, has remembered him as a leader and role model.

In the wake of this tragic event, Congresswoman Nancy Mace has declared her intention to deport illegal immigrants from South Carolina, linking her statement directly to Baker’s fatal accident.

At present, Fernandez-Cruz is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, while the identities and immigration statuses of two men who were present with her during the incident remain unknown. The community and authorities continue to grapple with the implications of the incident, as it highlights ongoing national conversations about immigration and public safety.