ICE Deports Las Vegas Driver Before Fatal Crash Sentencing

Victim's family left 'hopeless' as defendant is sent to country he hasn't lived in since age 2

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism and damage caused by a fatal crash that led to the deportation of the driver before he could be sentenced.As tensions escalate over immigration and criminal justice, a recent deportation before sentencing leaves a victim's family without closure.Las Vegas Today

An undocumented immigrant living in Las Vegas struck and killed a grandfather who was crossing the street, but before a judge could sentence him and order restitution, ICE deported him to Guatemala, a country he hasn't lived in since he was two years old. The victim's family was left heartbroken and angry, saying 'they couldn't wait 10 minutes' for the sentencing to happen.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between local criminal justice proceedings and federal immigration enforcement, as well as concerns about accountability and closure for victims' families when defendants are deported before sentencing. It also raises questions about the impact on defendants who are removed to countries they have little connection to.

The details

Douglas Esteban-Chacon, then 25, collided with 77-year-old Ricardo Ureno in a faded crosswalk in February 2025, killing Ureno. Police accused Esteban-Chacon of racing with another vehicle before the crash. In April 2025, Esteban-Chacon pleaded guilty to reckless driving resulting in death as part of a plea deal. However, before his scheduled sentencing in July 2025, ICE deported him to Guatemala, the country he left as a 2-year-old. Ureno's widow, Pauline, said she was devastated to miss the chance to address the defendant in court, saying 'It's just like he walked away.'

  • On Feb. 20, 2025, Esteban-Chacon collided with and killed Ricardo Ureno.
  • In April 2025, Esteban-Chacon pleaded guilty to reckless driving resulting in death.
  • On July 21, 2025, the scheduled sentencing hearing was canceled when the judge revealed Esteban-Chacon had been deported to Guatemala by ICE.

The players

Douglas Esteban-Chacon

A 25-year-old undocumented immigrant living in Las Vegas who struck and killed a pedestrian in a fatal crash, but was deported to Guatemala before he could be sentenced.

Ricardo Ureno

A 77-year-old grandfather who was killed when Esteban-Chacon struck him in a crosswalk.

Pauline Ureno

The wife of Ricardo Ureno, who was devastated to miss the chance to address the defendant in court before he was deported.

Judge Jennifer Schwartz

The Clark County District Court judge who had to cancel Esteban-Chacon's sentencing hearing when she learned he had been deported.

Ofelia Markarian

The Las Vegas attorney who represented Esteban-Chacon in the criminal case, saying he had 'no idea' about the country he was deported to.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not an accident. He killed my husband. It's not an accident. They put it down as an accident. It wasn't. He was racing.”

— Pauline Ureno, Wife of victim Ricardo Ureno

“They let this man go free. It's just like he walked away. I'm not really happy at all.”

— Pauline Ureno, Wife of victim Ricardo Ureno

“He's being sent back to a country that he has no idea anything about.”

— Ofelia Markarian, Attorney for Douglas Esteban-Chacon

“That leaves no accountability for the defendant, and that leaves the victim's families extremely hopeless.”

— Ofelia Markarian, Attorney for Douglas Esteban-Chacon

“I mean, you go in the court; it takes 10 minutes. They couldn't wait 10 minutes for this man to be sentenced.”

— Pauline Ureno, Wife of victim Ricardo Ureno

What’s next

A judge issued a warrant for Esteban-Chacon's arrest should he ever return to the United States, but it remains unclear if or when he will face sentencing for the fatal crash.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex intersection of local criminal justice and federal immigration enforcement, leaving victims' families without closure and defendants deported to countries they have little connection to. It raises broader questions about accountability, transparency, and the impacts on all parties when defendants are removed before their cases are fully resolved.