News Summary
Nathanial ‘Nate’ G. Baker, a junior at the University of South Carolina, was killed in a hit-and-run incident involving 24-year-old Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, who allegedly fled the scene. Fernandez-Cruz, reportedly in the US illegally and already wanted by immigration authorities, was charged with several offenses. The crash has sparked discussions on road safety and illegal immigration, prompting community outrage and calls for stricter enforcement of immigration laws. The university is offering support services for students affected by this tragedy.
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 afternoon near the university campus. The crash involved a driver, Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, who is 24 years old and reportedly in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Fernandez-Cruz has been charged with multiple offenses, including 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. At the time of the incident, she was already wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The fatal crash occurred just after 2 p.m. when Fernandez-Cruz allegedly failed to yield while making a left turn at the intersection of Blossom and Assembly streets, striking Baker, who was riding a motorcycle. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
Following the crash, Fernandez-Cruz fled the scene on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward by a Columbia Police Department officer on Greene Street. Two men who were with her at the time of the incident also fled but have not been charged as their immigration status is currently unknown.
Baker was a business major from Glen Allen, Virginia, and was remembered fondly by the University of South Carolina, which confirmed his identity and expressed condolences to his family and friends. The university also made counseling services available for students impacted by this tragic event. Additionally, the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, of which Baker was a member, honored him in a post on social media, reflecting on his role as a leader and role model within the fraternity.
Fernandez-Cruz has a complex immigration history. She was previously arrested by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas, on December 24, 2016, and an immigration judge ordered her deportation back to El Salvador on September 6, 2018. Despite this order, she remained in the United States until the recent incident.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the situation, stating that Nathanial “should be alive today,” leading to widespread discussions about illegal immigration and road safety in South Carolina. Congresswoman Nancy Mace emphasized the urgent need for the deportation of all illegal immigrants in the state, attributing Baker’s death to the actions of an “illegal alien.”
Fernandez-Cruz is currently held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Both the Columbia Police Department and DHS are engaged in an ongoing investigation into the tragic events that unfolded on Wednesday.
The incident has raised significant concerns about road safety and illegal immigration, drawing attention from various sectors of the community and prompting discussions about the enforcement of immigration laws in South Carolina. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a promising young student.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Live 5 News
- Wikipedia: Hit-and-run
- Island Packet
- Google Search: Beaufort County hit-and-run
- ABC News 4
- Google Scholar: hit-and-run laws
- WTOC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic safety
- WMBF News
- Google News: hit-and-run accident South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
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