The undocumented semi-truck driver, Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, who caused a fatal crash on US 285 last year, has been deported back to Mexico by ICE officials. Cruz-Mendoza had only served about eight months of his year-long sentence before being released and immediately detained by ICE. Prior to his deportation, Cruz-Mendoza had been removed from the U.S. 12 times and voluntarily returned to Mexico four times since 2002, according to ICE. He had past convictions for DUI, possession of drugs, careless driving resulting in death, and careless driving resulting in injury.
Cruz-Mendoza was driving for California-based Monique Trucking at the time of the deadly crash. Following an investigation, the company was ordered to cease all interstate and intrastate operations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on July 2. Cruz-Mendoza’s immigration status was first revealed by Denver7 Investigates, which reported that he had been in the U.S. illegally and had been ordered to be removed to Mexico multiple times.
The deportation of Cruz-Mendoza comes as a result of his criminal history and repeated violations of immigration laws. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges regarding immigration enforcement and the impact it can have on public safety.ICE Denver officers confirmed the deportation of Cruz-Mendoza in a statement, detailing his criminal history and multiple removals and voluntary returns to Mexico.
