U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued an immigration detainer for 34-year-old Edwin Pacheco-Meza, accused of causing a deadly crash in Clark County last week that claimed the lives of Coles County Board member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail.
Illinois State Police (ISP) reported that Pacheco-Meza was driving a conversion van on West Lincoln Street in Westfield when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with the Claytons’ vehicle. Neither Pacheco-Meza nor his 18-year-old passenger were injured. ISP did not initially disclose that both occupants of the van are undocumented immigrants.
Pacheco-Meza, a Honduran national, faces charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. He was denied pre-trial release at a hearing on Monday and is scheduled to return to court on November 17. ICE confirmed that the passenger, Juan Morales Martinez, from Guatemala, is being processed for immigration proceedings.
State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) called the crash “inexcusable” during a press conference in Springfield Tuesday afternoon.
The Illinois State Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the accident.