Illegal Immigrant Charged in Illinois DUI Crash Killing County Board Member and Wife

Edwin Pacheco-Meza, a 34-year-old Honduran national residing illegally in the U.S., was charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence after causing a fatal crash that killed Coles County Board Member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail, in Westfield, Illinois. His passenger, Juan Morales-Martinez, an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, was charged with drug possession and a weapons offense after authorities found marijuana, ammunition, an extended magazine, and an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Although ICE lodged detainers for both men at Clark County Jail, local officials did not comply due to Illinois' sanctuary policies; Morales-Martinez was later arrested by federal agents outside the jail. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the incident, stating it was preventable and emphasized that President Trump and Secretary Noem are enforcing immigration laws and restoring order in Illinois by removing criminal illegal aliens. Morales-Martinez entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 and had been released under the Biden administration, while Pacheco-Meza's date of entry remains unknown. Pacheco-Meza was denied pre-trial release and is scheduled to return to court.