The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer with the Durham County Detention Center for a man involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident in September.
Officials identified the suspect as Werner Orosco-Clemente, also known as Wilmer Fuentes Mejia. According to authorities, Clemente was driving under the influence when he struck and killed 61-year-old Richard Ferguson on Chalk Level Road.
Police reported that Clemente ran off the road and hit two signs before colliding with Ferguson. He was subsequently arrested and charged with hit and run, involuntary manslaughter, and driving with a revoked license.
Previous arrest warrants reveal that Clemente has multiple prior arrests, including charges for driving under the influence and assault. Officials also noted that he was previously deported in 2020.
“A local DA allowed him to walk free after multiple DUIs only to then cause this fatal hit-and-run that killed an innocent 61-year-old man in North Carolina,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Richard Ferguson Jr. will get justice. ICE lodged a detainer for this criminal to ensure this menace and public safety threat isn’t released back onto America’s streets.”
Mejia is a Guatemalan citizen who first entered the U.S. illegally in 2015. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge in December 2019 and was deported in 2020. It remains unclear when and where Mejia re-entered the United States.
Officials continue to investigate the case as efforts to hold Clemente accountable move forward.
https://www.wral.com/story/ice-issues-arrest-detainer-for-man-accused-of-deadly-hit-and-run-crash-in-durham/22207575/