Shelby Township police say an illegal immigrant, identified as 33-year-old Jose Medina-Hernandez, driving a box truck on M-59 “rear ended a Buick Verano which triggered a chain reaction involving two other vehicles.”

The Buick occupants, 88-year-old Nancy Richmond and 63-year-old Crystal Brunn, were killed in the crash, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido. Brunn was Richmond’s daughter.

Via Audacy:

According to Shelby Township Police, it was determined following the crash that Medina-Hernandez is in the U.S. illegally, and ICE has been contacted for further investigation.

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There apparently was such speed involved that a witness told WWJ he saw two cars “cut in half”. Richmond and Brunn were pronounced dead at the scene. Medina-Hernandez was treated for an undisclosed injury.

“Our office is committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions in this incident,” Lucido said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this senseless loss.”

“First, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the victims and their family. This was definitely a preventable accident that took the lives of a loving mother and daughter,” Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said. “I am distraught over the fact that the suspect, Jose Eugenio Median-Hernandez was found to have no legal status in the country.”

The Detroit News and Macomb Daily both reported about the wreck, but did not acknowledge Medina-Hernandez’s immigration status. They simply called him a “Westland man”.

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Medina-Hernandez was charged with two counts of Moving Violation Causing Death, (one year misdemeanors). His bond was set at $250,000 cash/surety.

It is estimated there are 102,700 illegal immigrants in Michigan, The Midwesterner previously reported.