A fatal car crash allegedly caused by a three-time deported Mexican national has injected the contentious issue of immigration into North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, a race typically dominated by economic concerns. The incident, which resulted in the death of 6-year-old Calli Toler, has become a focal point for Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout in her rematch against incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis.
The crash occurred west of Vanceboro, a community located more than 2,000 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, when a vehicle driven by Jaime Santiago Corona allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with the Tolers' car. Authorities report Corona, who is believed to be an undocumented immigrant, had a history of driving while intoxicated and had been deported in 2019, 2023, and 2024. He was reportedly driving on a revoked license at the time of the collision.
Laurie Buckhout, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, has pointed to the incident as evidence of a broader immigration crisis under the Biden administration. "It has continued because, under the Biden administration with Don Davis' oversight, you allowed so many illegals in the country [and] just a little bit ago, an illegal alien blew through a stop sign and killed a little girl," Buckhout stated in an interview. She has also highlighted other alleged incidents involving undocumented immigrants in the district, including arrests on homicide and rape charges.
Buckhout advocates for stricter border enforcement, increased funding for border security technology, and higher pay for immigration agents. She also emphasizes the need to bolster the economy of the historically impoverished district, which relies on industries such as agriculture and fishing.
In response, a spokesperson for Rep. Davis stated that the congressman is focused on delivering resources for the region, citing his efforts to reopen a local hospital. The campaign asserts that Davis's record speaks for itself and that he remains committed to representing the people of Eastern North Carolina.
Davis has expressed support for the Laken Riley Act, which calls for enhanced enforcement of federal immigration laws to ensure community safety. Both candidates acknowledge the importance of economic development in the district, but the fatal crash has shifted the campaign's emphasis towards national security and immigration policy.