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Suspected DUI Driver in Illinois Crash That Killed County Official Denied Release as ICE Seeks Custody

ICE says both men lack legal status, with agents arresting the passenger after the local jail released him under Illinois policy.

Overview

  • Edwin Pacheco-Meza, 34, is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI in the Westfield head-on collision that killed Coles County board member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail.
  • Pacheco-Meza was denied pretrial release at a Monday hearing and is due back in court on Nov. 17, according to local reports.
  • Clark County records list additional charges against Pacheco-Meza, including no valid license, not driving on the right side of the road, and failure to reduce speed.
  • ICE says it issued a detainer for Pacheco-Meza and the passenger, 18-year-old Juan Morales-Martinez; federal officials report the jail did not hold the passenger, who was then arrested by ICE and faces drug and weapons counts.
  • Illinois State Police say two other occupants of the struck truck remain hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and Republican lawmakers are attacking state immigration limits as police cite the TRUST Act’s restrictions.