COLUMBIA, SC — Rosali Fernandez-Cruz, 24, was sentenced to one year in prison for a hit-and-run crash that killed University of South Carolina student Nate Baker, 21, on April 2, 2023.
According to authorities, Fernandez-Cruz was turning left from Blossom Street onto Assembly Street when Baker's motorcycle collided with his truck. Baker sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Fernandez-Cruz pleaded guilty to the felony charge, which carried a potential sentence of up to 25 years. Mitigating factors led to a reduced sentence. Prosecutors indicated he would likely be deported to El Salvador after serving his time.
Following the collision, Fernandez-Cruz briefly stopped before fleeing on foot. He was apprehended around half a mile away and cooperated with police.
During the sentencing on Aug. 11, his attorney recommended one year, and Judge Heath Taylor ultimately decided the sentence. Baker's family reportedly expressed no ill will toward Fernandez-Cruz, maintaining a Christian approach to the tragedy.
Fernandez-Cruz has been incarcerated since Aug. 14 and is projected for release in March 2026. Three additional charges against him were dismissed as part of the resolution.
The case, which drew media attention due to Fernandez-Cruz's immigration status, was transferred to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, emphasizing a broader stance against illegal immigration in the state.