SAVANNAH, Ga. — A federal immigration operation resulted in a crash on Monday that killed a local teacher, according to authorities.
Chatham County police reported the incident occurred when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to stop Oscar Vasquez Lopez, 26. After failing to pull over, Lopez led agents on a pursuit, running a red light and making an illegal U-turn before colliding with another vehicle.
Linda Davis, 47, a special education teacher at Hesse K-8 School, sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Lopez was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and taken into custody.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Lopez, originally from Guatemala, had a final order of removal issued by a federal judge in 2024. He faces multiple charges, including reckless driving, driving without a valid license, and vehicular homicide.
According to ICE policy, officials are authorized to use necessary force during arrests and are trained to prioritize safety for all individuals involved. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, DHS stated.