DHS Intervenes After Little Girl Is Killed

A Mexican national who had previously been deported from the United States three times has been charged in connection with a July 3 crash in North Carolina that killed a 6-year-old girl and seriously injured two other people.

The child, identified as Calli Toler, died after the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a pickup truck that authorities say failed to stop at a stop sign.

According to a news release from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Jaime Santiago Corona. The detainer asks North Carolina authorities to notify ICE before releasing him from custody so that federal immigration officials can take further action.

DHS said Corona had entered the United States illegally on four occasions and had been deported in 2019, 2023, and 2024. The agency also said his criminal history includes convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and obstructing police.

Corona now faces several charges related to the deadly crash, including misdemeanor death by vehicle, failure to stop for a stop sign, careless and reckless driving, and driving while his license was revoked.

According to WCTI-TV, Corona was driving a 2023 Dodge Ram pickup when he allegedly drove through a stop sign and struck a 2016 Chevrolet SUV driven by Kelli Toler.

Calli was killed in the collision. Kelli Toler and a 4-year-old child who was also inside the SUV suffered serious injuries.

Corona is being held at the Pitt County Detention Center on a $100,000 secured bond. Court documents reportedly describe him as a flight risk.

Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned Corona’s alleged actions and argued that the crash could have been prevented.

“This monster caused a car crash that killed a 6-year-old girl, and injured a mother and a 4-year-old,” Bis said in the DHS statement.