Mother of Montevideo Teen Testifies on Illegal Immigrant's Fatal Crash

Jen Heiling speaks before House Judiciary Committee about her son's death.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of a single car headlight shining through the night on an empty city street, the light casting warm, diagonal shadows across the pavement.Heiling's testimony on the tragic loss of her son exposes the human toll of sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.Washington Today

Jen Heiling of Montevideo, Minnesota testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee this week about how her 19-year-old son Brady was killed last July in a crash caused by a Honduran woman driving illegally in the country. Heiling spoke during a hearing titled "The Human Toll of Sanctuary Policies-Stories from Victims' Families" about the tragic incident that also claimed the life of Brady's 18-year-old girlfriend Hallie Helgeson.

Why it matters

Heiling's testimony highlights the ongoing debate over sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The Trump Administration has taken steps to pressure cities like Minneapolis to abandon such policies, arguing they enable crimes by undocumented immigrants.

The details

According to the report, Brady Heiling and Hallie Helgeson were returning from a concert in Wisconsin last July when they were struck and killed by a Honduran woman driving the wrong way on the freeway while intoxicated. Jen Heiling recounted the tragedy during the House Judiciary Committee hearing.

  • Brady Heiling and Hallie Helgeson were killed in a crash last July.
  • Jen Heiling testified before the House Judiciary Committee this week.

The players

Jen Heiling

The mother of 19-year-old Brady Heiling, who was killed in a crash caused by an illegal immigrant.

Brady Heiling

A 19-year-old from Montevideo, Minnesota who was killed in a crash last July.

Hallie Helgeson

An 18-year-old from Montevideo, Minnesota who was also killed in the crash with Brady Heiling.

Jasmine Crockett

A Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee from Texas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Democrat Committee Member Jasmine Crockett of Texas said congress has not control over what policies individual cites may have to protect illegal immigrants...”

— Jasmine Crockett, Democratic House Judiciary Committee Member

“Heiling testified during the hearing entitled "The Human Toll of Sanctuary Policies-Stories from Victims' Families”

— Jen Heiling

What’s next

The Trump Administration has used tactics like this past winter's Operation Metro Surge to put pressure on cities like Minneapolis to drop their sanctuary policies.

The takeaway

Heiling's emotional testimony highlighted the human cost of sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, an issue that continues to be a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration reform.