A tragic collision on a Tennessee interstate has resulted in vehicular homicide charges against an undocumented immigrant. Current jail records reveal that the suspect is now detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The accused, 27-year-old Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara, faces charges of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and fleeing an accident scene following the crash that occurred Sunday night on Interstate 640 West in Knoxville.
On January 18, around 7:15 p.m., Knoxville Police officers responded to reports of a wrong-way crash near the Broadway exit. They discovered that a passenger vehicle, traveling against traffic, had collided with a motorcycle heading west.
The motorcyclist was declared deceased at the scene, though authorities are withholding his identity until his family can be notified.
A booking photo of Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara has been released. Officials confirm he is charged in connection with the fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville. (Courtesy of Knoxville County Sheriff’s Office)
According to police, the individuals in the passenger vehicle fled prior to the officers’ arrival. However, Alcantara-Guevara was located shortly thereafter and taken into custody. Investigators report that he attempted to escape the scene but was swiftly apprehended.
Court and jail records show multiple warrants were issued against Alcantara-Guevara on Jan. 19, including a $125,000 pre-trial bond for vehicular homicide.
Emergency crews respond to a fatal motorcycle crash in Knoxville, as seen in traffic camera video. (Knoxville TN Police Department)
Those same records show a hold for ICE was placed on him that day, indicating federal authorities believe he may be in the United States unlawfully.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced in September there were more than 1,000 287(g) program agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, a 641% increase from 135 programs. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Alcantara-Guevara appeared in court on Jan. 20 for several required 48-hour bond hearings and is scheduled to return to court again on Feb. 26, according to court records.
The Knoxville Police Department said the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
ICE has not yet publicly confirmed Alcantara-Guevara’s immigration status or whether the agency had any prior contact with him before his arrest.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., weighed in on the case, calling for strict punishment and deportation.
“Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara should face the full wrath of American justice, and he should be deported,” Blackburn said in a statement. “The Knoxville community is safer because law enforcement officers arrested this man and held him on an ICE detainer after he allegedly murdered a motorcyclist and fled the scene of the crime.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and ICE for comment.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
