Illegal Immigrant With Maryland Driver’s License Charged in Fatal Construction Vehicle Crash
An undocumented immigrant holding a valid Maryland driver’s license has been arrested and charged in Pennsylvania following a construction vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
Jose Delio Reyes Lopez, a 39-year-old resident of Frederick, Maryland, was taken into custody after the February 4 incident in Adams County, Pennsylvania. According to police reports, Reyes Lopez was operating a construction truck when he struck and killed 44-year-old Rebecca Funt, who was crossing an intersection. Authorities stated that Reyes Lopez remained at the scene and claimed he did not see the victim in the crosswalk. He has been charged with misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person in connection with the fatality.
Immigration and Licensing Status Confirmed
Following the arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer against Reyes Lopez, confirming he is in the country illegally. Despite his immigration status, the Maryland Department of Transportation confirmed that Reyes Lopez was issued a regular Class C non-commercial driver’s license in 2022.
State Licensing Policy Under Scrutiny
The incident has reignited debate over Maryland’s policies regarding undocumented immigrants. The license was issued under the Maryland Highway Safety Act of 2013, a law that allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses if they can prove residency and have filed state taxes for two years. These licenses are federally non-compliant and cannot be used for federal identification purposes, such as boarding commercial flights or entering federal buildings.
Public Safety Debate
Critics of the policy argue that granting government-issued licenses to individuals present in the country illegally undermines federal immigration laws and, as evidenced by this tragedy, poses a risk to public safety. The sentiment reflected in recent social media commentary suggests that state-sanctioned legitimacy for undocumented drivers fails to prevent dangerous outcomes.
Conversely, proponents of the 2013 legislation argue that the law was designed to improve road safety by ensuring that all drivers—regardless of status—are tested, licensed, and insured. Advocacy groups and state officials have previously maintained that unlisted and untested drivers present a greater hazard to the community than those who have gone through the state’s vetting process.
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