The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on December 2 that the driver arrested in San Diego, California for the serious offense of hit-and-run is a Mexican citizen who illegally reentered the country after being deported four times. ICE has issued an immigration detainer for the suspect to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect, identified as Hector Balderas-Aheelor, 44, fled the scene after hitting an 11-year-old boy on the street the day before Thanksgiving, causing fatal injuries to the boy named Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz from Escondido, Northern San Diego County.
According to ICE, Aheelor is an illegal immigrant who had been deported four times between 2004 and 2010. ICE mentioned that “due to California being a sanctuary state, it is expected that California authorities may not honor this detainer.”
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin stated on December 2, “Hector Balderas-Aheelor had been deported four times before but chose to illegally reenter for the fifth time and commit a serious crime.”
She added, “Thanksgiving should have been a day for family gatherings and gratitude, but the family of Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz can only mourn the loss of this young child – his life taken by a criminal illegal immigrant.”
She urged California Governor Gavin Newsom, “Do the right thing, comply with ICE’s detainer.”
San Diego’s ABC10 news reported that the Governor’s Office mentioned in a statement to the media, “This driver needs to be held accountable for this tragic hit-and-run incident. In this case, there are no laws preventing the federal government from fulfilling its duties. Returning to the U.S. illegally after deportation is a federal criminal offense, which California does recognize federal criminal arrest warrants.” The statement further noted, “The federal government recognizes their fault in not apprehending the suspect upon illegal entry into the U.S. California laws do not prevent them from taking action now.”
Around 5 p.m. on November 26, Aiden was playing outside his home when he was hit by a car while retrieving a soccer ball that rolled onto the street. The driver did not stop but fled the scene. Aiden succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
Based on evidence and surveillance footage, police swiftly identified the vehicle and suspect. On November 29, two days later, law enforcement arrested Aheelor at a residence in Escondido. The truck driven by Aheelor showed visible signs of impact upon his arrest.
Although the suspect’s name released by the Escondido police was Hector Balderas-Amador, ICE confirmed that Amador and Aheelor are the same person.
On the day of his arrest, Aheelor was taken to the Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County with an initial bail set at $50,000, later raised to $100,000. The ICE Detainer issued means that if he posts bail and is released, federal law enforcement can immediately apprehend him.
Currently facing a charge of Felony Hit-and-Run Causing Death, Aheelor could receive a maximum sentence of 4 years in state prison. Aheelor is scheduled for arraignment on December 3.