Teacher Killed in Crash After Man Fled From ICE

A public school teacher died when a man fleeing immigration agents crashed into her vehicle in Savannah, Georgia.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A public-school teacher was killed on Monday when a 38-year-old man fleeing from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents crashed his car into the teacher's vehicle in Savannah, Georgia. The man, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, originally from Guatemala, had a final order of removal issued by a federal judge in 2024 and was being apprehended by ICE agents when he fled the scene, ran a red light, and collided with the teacher's car. The teacher, Linda Davis, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers that can arise from ICE enforcement actions, as well as the broader debate around immigration policy and the role of federal immigration agencies. The crash occurred in a residential area near a public school, raising concerns about the safety of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of immigration enforcement.

The details

According to police, the ICE agents were attempting to pull over Oscar Vasquez Lopez around 7:45 a.m. when he fled the scene, made a reckless U-turn, and ran a red light, colliding with the vehicle driven by Linda Davis, a special education teacher at a nearby school. Davis was the only occupant of her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Lopez was also hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. The Chatham County Police Department stated they were not involved in or aware of the ICE operation beforehand.

  • The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • Linda Davis had worked as a teacher in the district since 2022.

The players

Oscar Vasquez Lopez

A 38-year-old man originally from Guatemala who had a final order of removal issued by a federal judge in 2024 and was being apprehended by ICE agents when he fled and crashed into the teacher's vehicle.

Linda Davis

A special education teacher at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School who was killed in the crash.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that was attempting to apprehend Oscar Vasquez Lopez when the incident occurred.

Chatham County Police Department

The local police department that was not involved in or aware of the ICE operation beforehand.

Alonna McMullen

The principal of Herman W. Hesse K-8 School, where Linda Davis taught.

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What they’re saying

“Fleeing from and resisting federal law enforcement is not only a crime but extraordinarily dangerous and puts oneself, our officers and innocent civilians at risk. Now, an innocent bystander has lost their life.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Spokeswoman, Department of Homeland Security

“The scale and magnitude of ICE's dragnet is costing us too much.”

— Anne Allen Westbrook, Georgia State Representative, Chatham County (Facebook)

“Linda Davis was a beloved member of our school family and her loss has affected us deeply.”

— Alonna McMullen, Principal, Herman W. Hesse K-8 School (Facebook)

What’s next

The Chatham County Police Department stated they have arrested Oscar Vasquez Lopez and charged him with first degree homicide, reckless driving, driving without a valid license, and failure to obey a traffic control device.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability around ICE enforcement actions, as well as the importance of prioritizing public safety and the wellbeing of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of immigration enforcement.