Father Dead in Street After Shocking Hit-and-Run — ICE Exposes Who’s Behind the Wheel

Liberty Check

• Biden-era border policy released an illegal immigrant Honduran teen into America with an unrelated ‘sponsor’ — now a father is dead after an alleged hit-and-run.
• ICE has lodged a detainer against the suspect, but sanctuary-style jurisdictions continue to obstruct deportation and federal cooperation.
• DHS Secretary calls out the Biden Administration’s ‘disastrous open borders’ as the direct cause of this preventable American death.

A North Carolina father is dead after an illegal immigrant accused of a hit-and-run allegedly struck him with a car and fled the scene — and now Immigration and Customs Enforcement is demanding local authorities hand over the suspect.

Fox News Digital has learned that ICE filed a detainer request for 21-year-old Mauricio Josue Alberto Sarmiento, a Honduran national in the United States illegally. He faces charges of hit-and-run resulting in death in Sylva, North Carolina.

On August 2, Sarmiento allegedly struck 51-year-old James Robert Bagley III with his vehicle before leaving the scene. Officers and first responders discovered Bagley unresponsive in the street. He succumbed to his injuries.

Five days later, Sylva Police arrested Sarmiento and charged him with felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death, no liability insurance, driving with a revoked license, exceeding safe speed, and failure to reduce speed. He also had an outstanding arrest order in Jackson County, North Carolina.

On the same day Sarmiento was arrested, ICE lodged a detainer with the Jackson County Jail.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News Digital that Sarmiento entered the country illegally through Texas as an unaccompanied minor in October 2021. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him after his illegal entry. DHS revealed he was then “reunified” with an unrelated sponsor and released into the interior of the United States under the Biden administration’s border policies.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin made his position crystal clear to Fox News Digital.

“We are asking officials in Jackson County to cooperate and not release this criminal from jail without notifying ICE.”

Mullin didn’t mince words about who bears responsibility for this American’s death.

“If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders, James Bagley would still be alive.”

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of the former Biden administration for comment but received no response.

Mullin continued his call for accountability and enforcement.

“By securing our border and deporting illegal aliens, we can save lives and prevent tragedies like this one from ever happening again.”

After Sarmiento’s arrest, Sylva Police Chief Aimee Sumner said his arrest “represents a significant step forward in our investigation” but cautioned that “while an arrest has been made, this case is not over, and we remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring that the facts are presented through the judicial process.”

Sumner added that their “thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of James Bagley as they continue to cope with this tremendous loss.”

The police chief confirmed the charges against Sarmiento to Fox News Digital. Sumner also confirmed that Sarmiento remains in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center, operated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Regarding the ICE detainer, Sumner clarified her department’s limited role.

“Our department was not involved in that process; you would need to speak with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.”

Fox News Digital contacted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

This case underscores the deadly consequences of releasing illegal immigrants into American communities without proper vetting or accountability. A father is gone. A family is shattered. And once again, failed border policies are directly to blame.

Americans deserve better.