U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued an immigration detainer on 34-year-old Edwin Pacheco-Meza, the man accused of causing a fatal crash in Clark County last week that claimed the lives of Coles County Board member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail.
An Illinois State Police spokesperson said Pacheco-Meza was driving a conversion van on West Lincoln Street in Westfield when he crossed the center line and hit a vehicle carrying the Clayton's head-on. Meza and the 18-year-old passenger in his vehicle were not hurt. What ISP did not disclose was that the driver and the passenger in the van were illegal migrants.
Pacheco-Meza from Honduras is facing charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. He was denied pre-trial release in a hearing on Monday. He's expected back in court on Nov. 17. According to an ICE spokesperson, his passenger, Juan Morales Martinez, from Guatemala is being processed to face immigration proceedings.
At a Capitol press conference in Springfield Tuesday afternoon, State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) said the accident that happened in district is inexcusable.
According to the ISP, the investigation is ongoing.