- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Savannah Today
By the People, for the People
Man Charged After Crash Kills Georgia Teacher During ICE Pursuit
Authorities say the suspect, an undocumented immigrant, fled a traffic stop and crashed into the victim's vehicle.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 38-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide after he allegedly fled a traffic stop by DHS/ICE agents in Savannah, Georgia, and crashed into another vehicle, killing an elementary school teacher. The suspect, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who had an outstanding order of removal from 2024, according to DHS.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and public safety, with DHS officials blaming "politicians and the media" for "demonizing ICE officers" and encouraging resistance to arrest. It also raises questions about the protocols and coordination between federal and local law enforcement during such operations.
The details
According to police, Vasquez Lopez was attempting to flee a traffic stop initiated by DHS/ICE agents when he crashed into a vehicle driven by 52-year-old Linda Davis, a teacher at Hesse K-8 school. Davis was transported to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Vasquez Lopez was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and was later taken into custody by Chatham County Police and charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, and failure to obey a traffic control device.
- The incident occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026, just after 8:40 a.m.
The players
Oscar Vasquez Lopez
A 38-year-old man who was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala with an outstanding order of removal from 2024.
Linda Davis
A 52-year-old elementary school teacher at Hesse K-8 school who was killed in the crash.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The federal agency that initiated the traffic stop that led to the pursuit and crash.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The federal agency that was involved in the traffic stop and pursuit alongside DHS.
Chatham County Police Department (CCPD)
The local law enforcement agency that took Vasquez Lopez into custody and charged him following the incident.
What’s next
Authorities have indicated that Vasquez Lopez will remain in custody and face charges related to the crash and his immigration status. The investigation into the incident and coordination between federal and local law enforcement is ongoing.
The takeaway
This tragic incident highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between immigration enforcement and public safety, with both sides pointing fingers over who is to blame. It underscores the need for clear protocols and communication between federal and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all involved during such operations.
