A Honduran illegal immigrant has been arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama, following a crash that killed his girlfriend’s six-year-old daughter. Zelvin Gomez, 25, originally faced charges of driving under the influence and first-degree assault and was being held on a $150,000 bond. He is now charged with manslaughter.
Gomez, who remained in the United States illegally after his asylum application was denied, had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit at the time of the crash. A detainer has been placed on him, ensuring he will eventually be turned over to immigration officials.
According to WKRG, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on County Road 28 in Summerdale. Gomez had been driving with his girlfriend, their dog, and her daughter. After an argument with his girlfriend, she and the dog left the vehicle, leaving Gomez and the six-year-old girl to continue driving. Shortly after, Gomez crashed through a fence, flipping the vehicle and ejecting the child, who was then pinned under the car.
Gomez was later taken into custody, where investigators determined his blood alcohol level was .22 — nearly three times the legal limit — and that he had been driving 68 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the crash.
First responders managed to free the girl, and she was airlifted to the hospital via helicopter, where she later died. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have placed a hold on Gomez, which will be executed once legal proceedings have concluded.