U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer request for Jose Antonio Caballero-Nolasco, an El Salvador national accused of driving the wrong way on Interstate 270 in Maryland while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a crash that killed two people.
Caballero-Nolasco faces charges including two counts of grossly negligent manslaughter and two counts of homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol. The incident occurred on August 29 when he allegedly crashed head-on into a vehicle occupied by four individuals.
Musammat Shamima Begum, 46, and her 23-year-old daughter Areebah Jahin, both from Northern Virginia, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers in their vehicle, a 62-year-old man and an 8-year-old girl, sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
Authorities reported that Caballero-Nolasco smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech following the collision. Investigators stated that empty and full beer bottles were found in his vehicle, and he admitted to drinking. Evidence suggests he did not brake before the crash.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin commented on the incident, calling the tragedy "completely avoidable." He added that ICE's detainer requests authorities to hold Caballero-Nolasco and prevent his release back into the community. Caballero-Nolasco was taken to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to the Montgomery County Detention Center.