Trucker Charged in Virginia Crash That Killed Three Previously Entered U.S. Illegally, Officials Say
ROANOKE, Va. — A truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash on Interstate 81 in Virginia that claimed the lives of three people, including a toddler, previously entered the United States illegally in the 1990s, federal law enforcement sources confirmed. El Hadji Karamoko Ouattara, 58, originally from the Ivory Coast, is now facing three counts of involuntary manslaughter after his tractor-trailer veered off the highway and struck a minivan on December 22, according to the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims identified by local authorities include 65-year-old Lorraine Renee Williams, 49-year-old Ebony Latasha Williams, and 2-year-old Shazziyah Lesley. Three other individuals—a 63-year-old man, a 73-year-old man, and a 10-year-old girl—sustained injuries but survived and were transported to a nearby hospital.
Ouattara, a resident of Montgomery Village, Maryland, was initially charged with reckless driving. However, the charges were elevated to involuntary manslaughter as investigations progressed. A federal source revealed that despite his initial illegal entry into the country, Ouattara was eventually granted lawful permanent residency and later naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
This incident has intensified national discussions about the safety risks posed by untrained or unqualified commercial drivers, particularly those who entered the country without authorization. The Department of Homeland Security has recently increased efforts to identify and remove drivers operating under non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), a measure Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted in a recent update.
Secretary Duffy’s agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation, is collaborating closely with federal enforcement to crack down on illegal immigrant truckers who may not meet stringent licensing and safety standards. This crackdown has drawn attention amid a series of high-profile crashes involving commercial vehicles.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has also been active in investigating and detaining individuals suspected of driving commercially without proper authorization, emphasizing the potential public safety risks associated with such practices.
Local law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash. The Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office has urged drivers to exercise caution on the busy interstate, especially during the holiday travel season.
The tragic incident underscores ongoing concerns about the intersection of immigration enforcement and transportation safety, as authorities balance public safety with regulatory compliance. Advocates and policymakers alike are watching closely as these issues evolve in the coming months.
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