Georgia teacher killed in crash during DHS/ICE chase

A teacher in Georgia was killed in a crash involving a chase by the Federal Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the Chatham County Police Department.The crash happened Monday morning on Whitefield Avenue in Chatham County, Georgia. The Chatham County Police Department said that a preliminary investigation showed that Oscar Vasquez Lopez, 38, crashed into a vehicle while fleeing from Federal Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE) officers who were trying to pull his vehicle over. CCPD emphasized it was not involved in the DHS/ICE operation, attempted traffic stop, or pursuit, and said it was not aware of the federal activity until after the crash.Lopez is charged with reckless driving, driving without valid license, failure to obey traffic control device, first-degree homicide by vehicle.Savannah Chatham County Public School System confirmed, Dr. Linda Davis, a Hesse K-8 teacher, was killed in crash.The Department of Homeland Security released the following statement in response to the crash:"After months of sanctuary politicians encouraging and instructing illegal aliens to resist and evade federal law enforcement, a criminal illegal alien attempting to flee from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement struck and killed a motorist in Savannah, Georgia."On February 16, ICE law enforcement officers attempted to apprehend Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who was issued a final order of removal by a federal judge in 2024. He entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and location."During the operation, officers observed Vasquez Lopez enter a vehicle and they attempted a traffic stop. Vasquez Lopez initially complied, but then fled the scene, making a reckless U-turn and running a red light, colliding into a civilian vehicle. The civilian driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Vasquez Lopez is in custody at the hospital with minor injuries and is being charged by the Chatham County Police Department with vehicular homicide.“This vehicular homicide is an absolute tragedy and deadly consequence of politicians and the media constantly demonizing ICE officers and encouraging those here illegally to resist arrest—a felony,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These dangerous tactics are putting people’s lives at risk. Fleeing from and resisting federal law enforcement is not only a crime but extraordinarily dangerous and puts oneself, our officers, and innocent civilians at risk. Now, an innocent bystander has lost their life.”The school principal posted the following message on Facebook: "I wanted to make our families aware that our school has experienced the death of a teacher, who was killed in a traffic accident this morning just outside the school. Dr. Linda Davis was a beloved member of our school family and her loss has affected us deeply."The students and staff will react in different ways to the death of one of our school community members. We all should expect and try to understand that there will be a variety of emotionsand responses to what has occurred. The most important thing we can do is to be supportiveand encourage an open expression of feelings."At the school, we have implemented a plan for responding to this tragic event focused on helping our students and their families get back to regular learning and every day activities as soon as possible. This plan has evolved from the district's experience with death in the past and the advice of mental health professionals from the community."Our teachers and counselors have been briefed on our plans and have received guidelines for discussing about death and reactions to it. There will be district counseling personnel available to students and staff who need special attention and support. We will try to maintain as normal a routine and structure as the situation allows, and we encourage you to do the same."If you feel that your child or family needs some assistance, please contact us, and we will do everything we can to help you. We are also providing the following resource that may support you in speaking with you child. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 912-395-6440. We know you will join us in our concern and sympathy for the family."