ICE Lodges Detainer for Mexican Criminal in Fatal Hit-and-Run

DHS Press Releases

Filed March 26th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer for Erasto Lopez-Gomez, a Mexican national charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in a fatality in North Carolina. The release highlights the individual's alleged illegal entry and subsequent release into the country.

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What changed

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer for Erasto Lopez-Gomez, a 25-year-old Mexican national, who is charged with a felony hit-and-run that resulted in the death of 62-year-old Christopher Babcock in North Carolina. The press release emphasizes that Lopez-Gomez allegedly entered the U.S. illegally and was released into the country by the current administration, drawing a connection between immigration policy and criminal activity.

This action signifies ICE's intent to take custody of Lopez-Gomez upon his release from local law enforcement custody, regardless of the outcome of his criminal proceedings. Compliance officers should note that this highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal justice, and may indicate increased scrutiny on individuals with pending criminal charges who are also subject to immigration enforcement actions. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned for regulated entities, this underscores the importance of robust internal processes for identifying and reporting individuals who may be subject to immigration detainers, particularly in sectors involving direct public interaction or those with potential public safety implications.

What to do next

Review internal policies for identifying and reporting individuals subject to immigration detainers.
Ensure coordination with local law enforcement regarding individuals with pending criminal charges and immigration status.

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ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Mexican Criminal Illegal Alien for Fatal Hit-And-Run of 62-Year-Old Man in North Carolina

ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Mexican Criminal Illegal Alien for Fatal Hit-And-Run of 62-Year-Old Man in North Carolina

Release Date: March 26, 2026
Lopez-Gomez illegally crossed the border and was RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration

WASHINGTON **** – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodging a detainer for the arrest of 25-year-old Erasto Lopez-Gomez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, charged with a felony hit-and-run of a 62-year-old man in North Carolina.

According to local reports, on March 11, Lopez-Gomez was driving a vehicle that hit 62-year-old Christopher Babcock while on his motorcycle. Babcock was flung from his motorcycle and Lopez-Gomez fled the scene. Babcock passed away from his injuries. Babcock’s wife, Donna, told local news outlets, “I’m broken. This person took my life that day as well.”

On March 25, local authorities located and arrested Lopez-Gomez who was charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death. On the same day, ICE lodged a detainer to ensure that Lopez-Gomez is not released from jail into American communities.

On March 1, 2024, Lopez-Gomez was apprehended by Border Patrol near Tucson, Arizona after illegally crossing the southern border. He was then RELEASED into the country under the Biden Administration.

“This criminal illegal alien should have NEVER been in our country and able to kill Christopher Babcock,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis **.* “The Biden Administration’s catch and release policies let this criminal into our community, and now a widow is mourning the loss of her husband. This is the second hit-and-run by an illegal alien just this week. These preventable tragedies are the result of the previous administration's open border policies.”*

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.