A Mexican national who authorities say was in the United States unlawfully and had been deported multiple times was driving on a revoked license when he crashed into another vehicle last week, killing a 6-year-old North Carolina girl, officials said.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Jaime Santiago Corona was behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram pickup on July 3 when he ran a stop sign in Pitt County and hit an SUV driven by 35-year-old Kelli Toler, who was traveling with her two children.
Toler and her 4-year-old child were taken to ECU Health Greenville with serious injuries. Her 6-year-old daughter, Calli Toler, died at the scene, authorities said.
Jaime Santiago Corona, a Mexican national authorities say was unlawfully in the U.S., is accused of causing a crash that killed 6-year-old Calli Toler and injured her mother and sibling after he failed to stop at a stop sign, officials said. Corona has been deported from the United States three times. (Pitt County Sheriff’s Office)
An online fundraiser created for the Toler family said the mother and children were headed to lunch before a planned trip to a swimming pool when the crash occurred.
“This monster caused a car crash that killed a 6-year-old girl and injured a mother and a 4-year-old,” Department of Homeland Security acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. “This tragedy was 100% preventable. Our prayers are with Calli Toler and her family.”
Corona faces charges including misdemeanor death by vehicle, failure to stop at a stop sign, careless and reckless driving, and driving with a revoked license.
The Department of Homeland Security said Corona had illegally reentered the United States three times, an offense classified as a felony. Officials also said he has a prior history of driving under the influence.
His criminal history includes homicide-negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, multiple counts of obstruction of police, DUI, failure to appear and multiple traffic offenses, according to DHS.
A detainer hold has been issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News that it will cooperate with ICE.
